Robert L. Brent, MD, PhD, Honored with 2008 Alfred I. duPont Award for Excellence in Children’s Health Care

Nemours Enterprise
Monday, September 22, 2008 @ 04:01 AM EDT

For his lifetime commitment in the field of radiation biology and the risks of radiation and other environmental exposures on the developing fetus and for his leadership in pediatric clinical care, research and education, Robert L. Brent, MD, PhD, will be honored as the recipient of the prestigious 2008 Alfred I. duPont Award for Excellence in Children’s Health Care by Nemours, one of the nation’s largest children's health systems.

The duPont Award ceremony will honor Dr. Brent on Tuesday, September 23, at 8:00 p.m., at the Wilmington Country Club, Wilmington, Delaware. The duPont Award consists of a $50,000 cash prize and an original Steuben Glass crystal sculpture.

Dr. Brent has a worldwide reputation as a leader in radiation biology, developmental biology, teratology, genetics and cancer risks. During his career he has personally counseled over 20,000 individuals who are concerned about the risks of radiation exposure, cancer, birth defects, miscarriage and other reproductive and developmental problems. In addition to all of these scholarly activities, he received continuous NIH and DOE funding for his research activities, directed a research institute at Stein Research Center of Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia) and was chairman of the Pediatric Department for 30 years, one of the longest chairmanships in American pediatric history.

Dr. Brent is the Distinguished Louis and Bess Stein Professor of Pediatrics, Radiology, and Pathology and head of the Environmental and Clinical Teratology Laboratory at DuPont Hospital for Children. He is also emeritus chairman of Pediatrics and Professor of Radiology, Pathology and Anatomy at The Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

He has received many honors including being elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In April 1996, to honor his outstanding educational and research contributions to science and medicine, Thomas Jefferson University created the Robert L. Brent Professorship for the chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and held a special convocation to dedicate the Lillian and Robert Brent Auditorium at the University.

He was a one of 40 founding members of the Teratology Society in 1961and elected president in 1966. It is a society dedicated to studying the causes of birth defects and their prevention. In addition to his prestigious research career, Dr. Brent has authored 430 publications and 300 abstracts, including six books and four movies.

About the Alfred I. duPont Award
In 2001, the Board of Directors of Nemours established the Alfred I. duPont Award for Excellence in Children's Health Care to honor Mr. duPont and his legacy. The award consists of a $50,000 cash prize and an original crystal sculpture by Steuben Glass. In his life and work, Alfred I. duPont, benefactor of the Nemours Foundation, was creative but exacting -- seeking to inspire both himself and others to achieve excellence.

“In 2001, we established this annual award to honor an individual who has made outstanding contributions to health care for children,” said John S. Lord, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nemours. “Dr. Brent’s research into the causes and possible prevention of birth defects related to radiation and other environmental exposures has distinguished him among his peers and provided comfort to expectant mothers everywhere.”

Previous Laureates include:

2007 Award Recipient: Jerold F. Lucey, MD
2006 Award Recipient: Samuel L. Katz, MD
2005 Award Recipient: Mary Ellen Avery, MD
2004 Award Recipient: Robert J. Haggerty, MD
2003 Award Recipient: Lucian L. Leape, MD
2002 Award Recipient: Paul B. Batalden, MD
2001 Award Recipient: Donald M. Berwick, MD

modified: Monday, September 22, 2008 @ 04:08 PM EDT
created: Monday, September 22, 2008 @ 03:52 PM EDT

About Nemours

Nemours, one of the nation’s largest pediatric health systems, is dedicated to achieving higher standards in children’s health. Nemours offers an integrated spectrum of clinical treatment coupled with research, advocacy, and educational health and prevention services extending to all families in the communities it serves. Starting with Alfred I. duPont’s bequest over seventy years ago, Nemours has grown into a multi-dimensional organization offering personalized clinical and preventive care focused on children.

Nemours owns and operates the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware and major children’s specialty clinics in Delaware (Wilmington), Florida (Jacksonville, Orlando and Pensacola), Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Bryn Mawr) and New Jersey (Atlantic City and Voorhees). Having recently received preliminary approval from the State of Florida, Nemours will establish a new full-service children’s hospital as part of an integrated pediatric health campus in Orlando. KidsHealth.org, the world’s most visited pediatric health care Web site for parents, kids and teens, is a project of Nemours.

Nemours employs over 4,400 individuals, including 430 pediatric physicians, specialists and surgeons who cared for approximately a quarter of a million children in 2007. The organization’s goal is to align with parents, physicians, community leaders, children’s advocates and elected officials to ensure optimal wellness for every child. Additional information about Nemours can be found at www.nemours.org.