PRINCETON, N.J. (October 8, 2009)—The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) today announced its selection of Dr. Uwe Jacobs, clinical and executive director of Survivors International, San Francisco, to receive a Community Health Leaders Award. He is one of 10 extraordinary Americans who will receive the RWJF honor for 2009 at a ceremony this evening at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Jacobs has provided therapeutic care to more than 1,000 individuals who have experienced torture (www.survivorsintl.org). He is also a leader in efforts to officially recognize and define gender-based violence as torture. "Dr. Jacobs has organized an outstanding interdisciplinary team of individuals from the health professions and the legal profession to help victims of torture to heal and rebuild their lives," said Janice Ford Griffin, national program director for the award. "He is a leader in the effort to expand the legal definition of torture to encompass individuals who have suffered at the hands of non-uniformed actors."
In working with a wide array of people from different nations and backgrounds, and with victims of genocide from around the world, Jacobs realized that a lot of the people who were being persecuted were victims of domestic violence, female genital mutilation, sex trafficking and the threat of honor killings. Seeing the tremendous need, he developed a program to provide services to victims of gender-based violence who seek asylum in the United States. This program has demonstrated that survivors of gender-based violence have levels of trauma that are comparable to those of most torture victims.
"I am deeply honored by this award, and I hope it brings attention to the importance of helping victims of torture to heal," said Jacobs. "I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all the lawyers who help these victims obtain asylum so that they can truly begin to rebuild their lives."
Jeffrey S. Kaye, Ph.D., a staff clinician at Survivors International, said that in his opinion, "Dr. Jacobs' greatest contribution—possibly his greatest talent—is his ability to transfer his considerable clinical experience and knowledge to the greater community."
The Community Health Leaders Award honors exceptional men and women from all over the country who overcome significant obstacles to tackle some of the most challenging health and health care problems facing their communities and the nation. The award elevates the work of the leaders by raising awareness of their extraordinary contributions through national visibility, a $125,000 award and networking opportunities. This year the Foundation received 532 nominations from across the United States and selected 10 outstanding individuals who have worked to improve health conditions in their communities with exceptional creativity, courage and commitment.
There are nine other 2009 Community Health Leaders in addition to Jacobs. Their work includes oral health services for remote communities; self-directed care for persons with physical disabilities; a marriage between health care and legal aid; a mentoring program to help disadvantaged youth pursue health careers; an innovative approach to combat obesity; culturally sensitive and appropriate health care for Cambodian-American immigrants; quality health care for Native American elders; family planning and health services for women, men and teens; and mental health services for the underserved.
Since 1993 the program has honored more than 160 Community Health Leaders in nearly every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Nominations may be submitted for the 2010 Community Health Leaders Award through October 15, 2009. For details on how to submit a nomination, including eligibility requirements and selection criteria, visit www.communityhealthleaders.org.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) established the Community Health Leaders (CHL) Award to recognize individuals who overcome daunting obstacles to improve health and health care in their communities. Today, there are 173 outstanding Community Health Leaders in nearly all states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.communityhealthleaders.org.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years, the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.