Case Western Reserve University alumnus David Satcher (GRS/MED '70) is this year's recipient of the Institute of Medicine's Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat International Prize in Mental Health. Consisting of a medal and $20,000, the prize was presented at the IOM's annual meeting.

The Sarnat Prize is given to Satcher in recognition of the impact of his unique and outstanding national contributions to the area of mental health. Satcher served as Surgeon General of the United States from February 1998 to February 2002 and is currently director of the National Center for Primary Care at Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta.

Satcher also became the third recipient of the Herbert W. Nickens Award November 11 at the Association of American Medical College's (AAMC) annual meeting.

The award, from the AAMC's Group on Student Affairs' Minority Affairs Section, is named for the organization's former vice president of community and minority programs and is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to promote justice in medical education and health care.

Satcher's efforts as Surgeon General advanced public understanding of mental illness and established mental health as an important topic for national health policy. He was the first person in this office to release a report on mental health, "Mental Health: Report of the Surgeon General." This groundbreaking report increased public awareness of the fundamentals of mental illnesses and the barriers to treatment.

Other reports that addressed specific issues followed: National "Action Agenda for Children's Mental Health;" "Mental Illness: Culture, Race and Ethnicity;" "Youth Violence;" and "Call to Action to Prevent Suicide." Each of these efforts moved discussion of mental health and mental illness into the public arena and stimulated new efforts to improve mental health care.

Satcher received his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta and his medical degree and doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. He did residency/fellowship training at Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, UCLA and King-Drew Medical Center in Los Angeles.

He served on the faculty of the UCLA School of Medicine and Public Health and the King-Drew Medical Center. He went on to become professor and Chairman of the Department of Community Medicine and Family Practice at Morehouse School of Medicine and President of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. He held the posts of director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry just prior to his term as Surgeon General of the United States from 1998 to 2002. In the fall of 2002, he became director of the National Center for Primary Care at the Morehouse School of Medicine.

IOM, through its Board on Neuroscience and Behavioral Health, has awarded the Sarnat Prize since 1992 to individuals, groups or organizations that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in improving mental health. The prize recognizes-without regard for professional discipline or nationality—achievements in basic science, clinical application and public policy that lead to progress in the understanding, etiology, prevention, treatment or cure of mental disorders or to the promotion of mental health. As defined by the nominating criteria, the field of mental health encompasses neuroscience, psychology, social work, public health, nursing, psychiatry and advocacy.

The award is supported by income from an endowment created by Rhoda and Bernard Sarnat of Los Angeles. Rhoda Sarnat is a licensed clinical social worker, and Bernard Sarnat is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and researcher. The Sarnats' concern about the destructive effects of mental illness inspired them to establish the award. Nominations for potential recipients are solicited every year from IOM members, deans of medical schools and mental health professionals.

Nominations for the 2003 Sarnat Prize may be sent to the Board on Neuroscience and Behavioral Health. Additional information regarding the prize and the board are available online at http://www.iom.edu/nbh.

The Institute of Medicine is a private, nonprofit organization that provides health policy advice under a congressional charter granted to the National Academy of Sciences.