PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS IS HONORED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN PHYSICIANS
"Dr. Bennett is receiving the Kober medal from the AAP on the 75th year because of his research, teaching and contribution as a scientist and educator," stated Lloyd Smith Jr., M.D., Associate Dean and Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, and 1986 Kober medal recipient. "Given his 30 years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), he had a pivotal role in various leadership positions that were instrumental in bringing UAB from a regional facility to a national powerhouse."
The George M. Kober medal and lectureship was established in 1925. It is the highest honor bestowed by the members on one of their own annually. All medal recipients have been outstanding leaders in medicine whose research, teaching, and academic contributions have advanced medicine and medical science.
A nationally recognized academician and clinical researcher, Dr. Bennett came to BioCryst at the end of 1996 with more than 35 years of research, medical and executive experience. He served as President of UAB, Professor and Chairman of the University’s Department of Medicine and currently holds the title of Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at UAB. He joined the faculty of UAB in 1965, where during his tenure he served as Professor of Medicine and Director of the Division of Clinical Immunology, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Microbiology, and Director of the Multipurpose Arthritis Center. During his career, Dr. Bennett has published more than 225 articles, abstracts, and editorials. Currently, he is the senior co-editor of the Cecil Textbook of Medicine.
Dr. Bennett received his undergraduate degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He did postdoctoral work in medicine, immunology, rheumatology, and molecular biology at the University of Alabama Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, National Institutes of Health, and California Institute of Technology.
Dr. Bennett also received the Carol-Nachman Medal from the German Society of Rheumatology. The award honors Dr. Bennett’s work as a scientist and physician as well as his continuous support in the education of young investigators. Professor Steffen Gay, M.D. came to Baltimore on behalf of the State of Wiesbaden and the Carol-Nachman Committee to present the Medal to Dr. Bennett yesterday.
The Association of American Physicians is a nonprofit, professional organization founded in 1885 by seven physicians, including Dr. William Osler, for "the advancement of scientific and practical medicine." Now the Association is composed of about 950 active members and approximately 550 emeritus and honorary members from the United States, Canada, and other countries.
Founded in 1986, BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of infectious, inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases and disorders. BioCryst’s most advanced drug candidate, RWJ-270201, is a neuraminidase inhibitor designed to treat and prevent viral influenza. The company licensed this drug candidate to the R.W. Johnson Pharmaceutical, Inc., both Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) companies.