African-American AIDS Institute Honored by the Discovery Health Channel

The African-American AIDS Institute, helmed by HIV Plus magazine contributing editor Phill Wilson, on Thursday was honored by the Discovery Health Channel at the inaugural Discovery Health Channel Medical Honors ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., for its contributions toward fighting disease and improving Americans' health. The awards, presented to 13 individuals, were cosponsored by the National Health Museum and 11 other preeminent health organizations. AAAI was honored for its national policy and research work in fighting HIV among African-Americans, now the largest at-risk group for HIV infection in the nation. The ceremony was hosted by TV personality and talk show host Regis Philbin and included award presentations by Marlo Thomas, Christopher Reeve, Yvette Freeman, Drew Pinskey, Health and Human Services secretary Tommy Thompson, and others. Held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, the Discovery Health Channel Medical Honors was the first-ever televised honors ceremony and gala to celebrate achievements in health and medical science. All of the event's attendees--from the world of Hollywood to the realm of health care--shined a spotlight on the achievements in medicine that improve the lives of people around the world every day. The two-hour awards ceremony will be televised at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, 7 p.m. Central, Thursday, July 8, on the Discovery Health Channel. "The inaugural class of honorees is responsible for some of the greatest lifesaving achievements of our time," says Billy Campbell, president of Discovery Networks U.S. "The Discovery Health Channel Medical Honors is a landmark event that allows the nation's top health organizations--which collectively better millions of lives every day--to come together with one voice to provide a fitting tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to improving the health and well-being of others around the world." Also honored at the ceremony were: the Back to Sleep Campaign, which works to reduce the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Donald Levy, a lymphoma researcher; Raghavendra G. Mirmira, a diabetes researcher; Robert Burgess Jennings, a heart researcher; Phoebe Putnet Memorial Hospital and Health System; T. Wayne Bailey, a volunteer at the American Lung Association; Antonio J. Grillo-Lopez, a cancer researcher; the Partnership for a Drug-Free America; the African Medical and Research Foundation; former U.S. surgeon general David Satcher; and breast cancer researchers Mina J. Bissell and Walter C. Willet.