Albany's Dr. Jim Hotz Receiving National Award
4/07/2016, Jennifer Parks, The Albany Herald
ALBANY — The Prevent Cancer Foundation is honoring leaders in cancer prevention with its annual “Laurels Awards” for national leadership, innovative programs and advocacy, including Dr. Jim Hotz of Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC).
The award to Hotz will be presented at the 2016 Dialogue for Action conference that is taking place this week in Baltimore.
“The exemplary individuals we honor with Laurels are the definition of leaders in cancer prevention and early detection,” said Carolyn Aldigé, president and founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. “We are grateful for their contributions and look forward to working with them as they continue effect change in the health and well-being of our communities.”
Hotz, who helped found AAPHC in 1978 and currently serves as its clinical services director, has been named the recipient of the Laurel Award for National Leadership.
“We are so proud of Dr. Hotz’s recognition for all the work he has done for the Southwest Georgia community,” said Shelley Spires, CEO of AAPHC. “He has been integral to developing and growing our organization so that we can continue to meet our patients’ needs.”
The AAPHC has more than a dozen clinical sites and has seen more than 2.5 million patients since its inception, the majority of whom are rural, African-American and live in poverty. Hotz has been recognized as one who is “deeply involved” in health policy around issues of access and disparities.
He has credited his dedication to the fight against cancer to the many family members he has lost to the disease, among them a parent and an uncle who he lost to colorectal cancer.
The other award recipients are Ira F. Combs, the founding director of North Omaha Area Health, who has been named the Laurel Award for Dedication to Community Service, and Anjee Davis, president of Fight Colorectal Cancer, who is receiving the Laurel Award for Advocacy.
Dialogue for Action is a conference that convenes stakeholders “committed to realizing the lifesaving potential of cancer screening and prevention for all communities.” Since 2013, it has expanded to include the mandated guidelines-driven cancer screenings and covered issues related to other cancer screenings.
Founded by Aldigé in 1985, Prevent Cancer Foundation has provided $142 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education, outreach and advocacy across the country, officials with the foundation say.
The awards are co-sponsored by the National Colorectal Council Roundtable and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. For more information, visit preventcancer.org.
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