Theodore L. DeWeese, dean of the medical faculty at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine, has been named among this year's recipients of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Image caption: Ted DeWeese
Presented by the Ellis Island Honors Society, this national award recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions to the United States while embodying the values of the American spirit and the legacy of immigration.
Each year, approximately 100 honorees are selected from a range of fields—including business, science, the arts, and philanthropy. The medal is presented to those who have shown an outstanding commitment to serving our nation either professionally, culturally, or civically. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is officially recognized by both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, with recipients entered into the Congressional Record.
DeWeese was recently honored at a gala ceremony on Ellis Island in the historic Great Hall, where millions of immigrants were once welcomed to America. He was recognized for his global leadership in cancer research and for his scientific advisory role with the Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima—an appointment by the National Academy of Sciences.
Past medalists include eight U.S. Presidents, Sen. John McCain, Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Nobel laureates Elie Wiesel and James Allison, Coretta Scott King, Muhammad Ali, Rosa Parks, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and many others.
Founded on the belief that America's strength lies in the contributions of all members of our nation, the Ellis Island Honors Society celebrates the efforts of our immigrant population and their descendants. In addition to awarding the Medal of Honor, the society supports scholarships, hosts cultural programs across the country, and mobilizes the network of honorees to support disaster relief worldwide.
