Dr. Jeremiah Lowney Wins AAO Humanitarian Award

Long-time NESO member from Norwich, Connecticut, Dr. Jeremiah Lowney, was selected as the first-ever recipient of the AAO Humanitarian Award in recognition of his dedicated service to the people of Haiti.

During the 2011 AAO Annual Session in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Lowney will receive the award.  The award recognizes the significant contributions to improve the quality of human life that extend beyond the usual scope of private practice, academic functions or organized dentistry.

Dr. Lowney was recognized for his philanthropic work in Haiti, having founded the Haitian Health Foundation in 1985. He continues to serve as the foundation’s president.  Dr. Lowney’s interest in Haiti began with a trip to Port au Prince during which he provided free dental care to the poor. Following the experience, Dr. Lowney founded the Haitian Health Foundation, with the mission to “improve the health and well being of the poor, sick, and the infirm of the greater Jérémie area.” Over the past 25 years the foundation has grown tremendously and today Dr. Lowney’s generosity and compassion for the people of Haiti has grown into an outpatient health care facility providing all types of health services and other everyday necessities to those living in the poorest, rural mountain villages of Haiti.  To learn more or to make a donation go to http://haitianhealthfoundation.org/

AAO constituent and component organizations and individual members were eligible to submit nominations for the AAO Humanitarian Award. Dr. Lowney was selected by the AAO Board of Trustees.

AAO Humanitarian Award Criteria
1. Nominee has rendered outstanding public humanitarian service to improve the quality of human life of those served. The service must be beyond the scope of private practice, academic organization, and the usual function of organized dentistry.
2. Nominee has made significant contributions to such areas as government, community economics, public welfare, or any area which improves the general health or well-being of the community, state, nation or foreign nation.
3. Nominee provides leadership and humanitarian volunteer efforts that reflect favorably upon the profession of dentistry.
4. Nominee provides volunteer service that reflects a significant devotion of time, energy and altruism that brings honor to the profession without indirect or direct personal or organizational gain or profit.
5. Nominee has established a legacy that is an inspiration to other members of the dental profession and beneficial to underserved populations.

A monetary award of $1,500 will be given to Dr. Lowney to cover travel and room expenses to attend the award ceremony. The 2011 AAO Annual Session will be May 13-17 in Chicago.