Donald J. Gordon, Ph.D., M.D., professor in the department of emergency health sciences at the Health Science Center and medical director of the San Antonio Fire Department and the Leon Valley Fire Department, was selected by the national headquarters of the American Red Cross (ARC) to receive the 2005-2006 American Red Cross Health and Safety Volunteer of the Year Award. There are approximately one million ARC volunteers.
This honor was presented by the president of the ARC and the chairman of volunteers at the annual awards ceremony May 12 at the 125th National ARC Convention in Washington D.C. The convention featured a gala that was hosted by actors Jane Seymour and Jimmy Smits, and a luncheon with First Lady Laura Bush.
“I feel very honored to be recognized during a year that saw so many volunteers labor to provide education, training and public service to so many needing assistance,” Dr. Gordon said.
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| Dr. Gordon is congratulated by actor Jimmy Smits at the American Red Cross gala. | |
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Dr. Gordon has volunteered through the San Antonio local chapter since 1987. During that time, he served on the board of directors for 16 years. Since 1992, he has been the volunteer medical director and in 1997, he served as chairman of the board. In 1999, he worked with the organization’s national headquarters to establish the advisory council on first aid and safety, and served as its chair until 2005. Dr. Gordon also has worked with the European Working Group on first-aid education as the international liaison representative of the national headquarters since 2002, and has participated in the writing and review of their harmonization document that melds more than 40 countries in Europe to one doctrine of first aid.
“I think it’s important that we in the medical and academic community contribute as volunteers in some sort of national association,” Dr. Gordon said. “Doing this makes me feel great and has me take a lot of pride in our Health Science Center.”
For more information about the American Red Cross, visit
www.redcross.org.
Contact:
Tina LutherPhone: (210) 567-3077
E-mail:
luthert@uthscsa.edu
