James H. Powell, M.D. Honored With National Medical Association's Clinical Research Leadership Award

8/28/2002

From: Reese Stone or Alisa Mosley, 202-347-1895, both of the National Medical Association

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 -- James H. Powell, M.D. was awarded the first "James H. Powell Clinical Research Leadership Award" on Aug. 3 at the National Medical Association's 2002 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly in Honolulu Hawaii. This award was created to recognize and honor the outstanding contributions of an African American researcher who has played a key leadership role in all aspects of the clinical research process. Dr. Powell was specifically recognized for his steadfast commitment to educating, training and mentoring current and future minority clinical investigators and the African American community at large.

"It is a tremendous honor for me to receive this award," said Dr. Powell. "As a researcher and physician, I recognize the importance of African Americans being engaged in every aspect of biomedical and clinical research - from serving on designing protocols to volunteering as a clinical trial participant. I believe that every physician should understand the clinical research process, be able to advise or refer patients to appropriate clinical trials, and have immediate access to data regarding known differences in patient responses to medications."

Dr. Powell is Senior Medical Director and Head of the Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics Department at Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals. In this capacity, he is responsible for managing the Company's clinical pharmacokinetics and early phase human testing of new prescription pharmaceutical products. In January 2000, the NMA secured Dr. Powell as an Executive-on-Loan as its Researcher-in-Residence and Director of the Biomedical Education and Research.

Proctor and Gamble received an award for sponsoring the NMA Researcher-in-Residence Program. Dr. L. Natalie Carroll, president of the NMA, said "We applaud Proctor and Gamble for its continued commitment to research."

The National Medical Association (NMA) is the largest and oldest professional, educational and scientific organization representing the interests of more than 20,000 African American physicians and their patients, as well as nearly 100 state and local societies. As the leading force for parity and justice in medicine and the elimination of disparities in health, the NMA is committed to improving the health status and outcomes of minorities and the underserved. While, the National Medical Association has historically focused on health issues related to African Americans and medically underserved populations, its principles, goals, initiatives and philosophy address and benefit all Americans.