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WASHINGTON, DC (April 9, 2010) – Nominations are being accepted for the Manuel Velasco Suárez Award for Excellence in Bioethics now through June 30, 2010, 5:00 p.m. EST, at pahef.org/mvs. This award, presented by the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), recognizes a scholar whose proposed research in the field of bioethics promises to produce a demonstrable output and enhance the scholar's capacity to progress in the field. This year marks the 8th anniversary of the creation of the award.

Professors, scholars, and researchers affiliated with an institution involved in the study of bioethics are invited to nominate a scholar in bioethics residing in Latin America or the Caribbean.

At the time of the award, the candidate must reside in Latin America or the Caribbean, should not have reached the age of 51 years old, be in the possession of or working towards a post-graduate degree, and be contributing actively to the field of bioethics. The nomination should be based on a sound proposal in the field of bioethics prepared by the candidate. Both empirical and theoretical works are eligible. Via the online form, each nominee should submit a $10,000 budget with their proposed work. The winning scholar is expected to submit a final report upon completion of the Velasco Suárez Award project.

The award also aims to encourage dedication to the highest standards of accountability and ethical research.

The awardee receives a medal from the Velasco Suárez family, grant, certificate of honor, and a paid trip to Washington, DC, to receive the award at the annual PAHO/PAHEF Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health Event and is recognized before the ministers of health of the region at the PAHO Directing Council Meeting. The awardee will be able to address ministers of health of the hemisphere, their delegations, and invited guests of PAHO at Directing Council.

PAHEF and the Secretariat of Health in Mexico, in cooperation with PAHO, created this award to honor Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez and stimulate young scholars in the development of their capacities for bioethical analysis. The Manuel Velasco Suárez Award for Excellence in Bioethics is part of the Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health Program, a joint initiative of PAHEF and PAHO.

Nominations may be made in Spanish, English, or Brazilian Portuguese.

Past winners of the Manuel Velasco Suárez Award for Excellence in Bioethics include Dr. Jorge Alberto Alvarez for his proposed study of attitudes of Latin American couples seeking assisted reproductive services and preservation of human embryos, as well as Prof. María Graciela de Ortúzar for her proposed work to research and develop a new international framework on the benefits of genetic research for Latin America.

Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez, a Mexican national, was a physician, researcher, and scholar. With more than 50 years dedicated to public health, he helped develop many important initiatives and was a founder of major institutions such as the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico and the Mexican Academy of Bioethics.

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Founded in 1968, the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) is a public 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to fostering public health programs in the Americas that address major health concerns. PAHEF improves the lives of people throughout the Americas by working with the public and private sectors as well as major public health research, policy, and development groups.

PAHEF enjoys a unique relationship with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization.

The Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health (pahef.org/awards) stimulate the growth of the next and rising generation of leaders working to improve health and health care in the Americas. The Awards for Excellence in Inter-American Public Health are a partnership between PAHEF and PAHO. A jury of distinguished public health professionals reviews nominations and recommends a candidate for each award to the board of trustees of the Foundation for final selection.

pahef.org

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