New Brunswick, NJ—Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) was honored to host the Second Annual PROUD Awards last week.
The PROUD Awards recognize and honor community leaders and advocates, as well as RWJBarnabas Health Leadership, for their outstanding commitment and tremendous contributions to the advancement of the LGBT Community’s health care needs.
RWJUH Medical Staff President James Salwitz (third from left) accepted the PROUD Ally Award following a special surprise announcement at RWJUH’s Second Annual PROUD Awards ceremony last week. With Dr. Salwitz from left to right are Vanessa Nazario, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at RWJUH; RWJUH President and CEO John J. Gantner; Gloria Bachmann, MD, Director, Women’s Health Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (Rutgers RWJMS), Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Professor of Medicine at Rutgers RWJMS; and Jackie Baras, RN, LGBTQ Health Navigator, RWJUH.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees:
PROUD Ally Award
James Salwitz, MD, President, RWJUH Medical Staff
PROUD Friends Award
The RWJUH Pastoral Care Department
PROUD Advocate Award
Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the African American Office of Gay Concerns (AAOGC).
PROUD Empowerment Award
Institute for Personal Growth
PROUD Corporate Partner Award
Ethicon Open & Out Employee Resource Group (ERG)
PROUD’s Pride Award
Lalitha Hansch, MD, Medical Director, PROUD Family Health
PROUD Leadership Award
Arlex Matulac, MSN, RN, Vice President of Perioperative Services at RWJUH and Executive Sponsor for both ASIAN and PROUD Business Resource Groups at RWJUH.
PROUD Physician Leadership Award
Richard Agag, MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and the Chief of the Division Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Jeremy Sinkin, MD, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Division Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Barbra Siperstein’s PROUD Legacy Award
Jan Moore and Emily Sonnessa, Activists for Marriage Equality and LGBTQ Rights