The National Medical Association and the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute have established an award named after Dr. Cato Laurencin that honors individuals with a distinguished research career.

The Cato T. Laurencin Distinguished Research Career Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding, consistent, and long-lasting contributions to scientific research and inquiry.

At the opening ceremonies of the National Medical Association’s recent annual meeting, the first recipient of the Cato T. Laurencin Award was honored. Dr. Jane C. Wright is credited with bringing the field of chemotherapy to the forefront of cancer treatment. A former associate dean and professor of surgery at the New York University Medical Center, she is regarded as a trailblazer in clinical trials research.

“To be able to present an award to a legend like Dr. Wright, who is a pioneer in cancer research, was really an honor for me.,” Laurencin said.

Laurencin is the chief executive officer of the Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, director of the Institute for Regenerative Engineering, and the Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery. He is also an elected member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering.

“Dr. Cato T. Laurencin has been a prolific researcher throughout his career but more importantly has provided the opportunity for many young physicians to become academicians and researchers with high levels of achievement,” said Dr. Randall C. Morgan, executive director of the W. Montague Cobb/National Medical Association Health Institute. “The National Medical Association leadership was unanimous in its endorsement of this award.”