The Howard University Family Medicine Residency Program at Howard University Hospital and the College of Medicine was recently named the 2010 recipient of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAPF) Foundation Pfizer Immunization Award.
According to a press release, the storied Washington, D.C. university was one of 10 recipients of the award, which is given to “family medicine residency programs that have achieved excellence in clinical practice by developing creative solutions that result in increased immunization rates in their community” according to AAFP.
Richard G. Roberts, M.D., J.D., president of the AAFP Foundation, said he hoped other institutions will follow the efforts of Howard and the other schools recognized for their contributions.
“Thanks to immunizations, deadly diseases like small pox and polio no longer kill or disable millions,” Roberts said in a statement. “Getting our children immunized at the right time protects them and improves the health of our community.”
Dr. Femi Adenuga, program director for the Family Medicine Residency Program, interim director of the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the College of Medicine and the hospital, said members of the program were thankful for the award and see their work as a “community effort.” ?
“We strive to give back to the community,” said Adenuga, also president-elect of the hospital’s medical and dental staff, in a press release. “This is a way that we can help prevent diseases among children.”