The Binaytara Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2023 awards, recognizing individuals who have made outstanding contributions to health equity, education, humanitarianism, and volunteerism.
BTF 2023 Lifetime Achievement
The Binaytara Foundation will bestow the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award on Dr. Edith P. Mitchell for her exceptional leadership and contributions to promoting health equity and improving the landscape in cancer health disparities.
Dr. Mitchell established the Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center in 2012 and has dedicated much of her career to cancer research and health equity. She joined the Binaytara Foundation’s efforts to minimize cancer disparities in 2018 as a faculty at our inaugural Summit on Cancer Health Disparities in Seattle, including co-chairing the meeting in 2022.
“Dr. Mitchell is an inspiration to many of us. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from her and to work together in this mission to eliminate cancer disparities.”
BTF President Dr. Binay Shah
2023 Distinguished Faculty
The BTF’s Distinguished Faculty Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated long-standing excellence in teaching and improving access to education for healthcare providers. This year’s Distinguished Faculty Awards go to Dr. Fengting Yan and Dr. Shailender Bhatia. Dr. Yan is a breast oncologist at Swedish Cancer Institute, and Dr. Bhatia is the Director of the Melanoma and Renal Cancer Team at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and a Professor at the University of Washington. Dr. Bhatia has contributed to our education mission since 2015, including chairing our annual ASCO review meetings. Dr. Yan leads the Breast Cancer subcommittee of our Education Committee and chairs our annual Highlights of SABCS and Women’s Cancer conference.
2023 Rising Star in Health Equity
The Rising Star in Health Equity Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership in improving cancer in underprivileged communities. The 2023 Rising Star in Health Equity will be awarded to Dr. Subodh Mallik. Dr. Mallik is an internist at Ward Memorial Hospital in Texas. Dr. Mallik is very passionate about improving healthcare in under-served communities. He volunteers as the Chief Medical Information Officer for the Binaytara Foundation Cancer Center in Nepal and oversees the Electronic Health Records implementation, updates, and compliance.
2023 Humanitarian Award
The Binaytara Foundation Humanitarian Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate the highest values of volunteerism, community engagement, dedication to improving access to cancer care, and collaboration with the Binaytara Foundation. This year’s award will be presented to Dr. Timothy Erickson, who has been involved with the Foundation since 2008 and became a board member in 2015. Dr. Erickson is an emergency medicine doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He has dedicated his career to improving healthcare in underserved communities around the world, including disaster response efforts in Haiti, Nepal, Ukraine, and Puerto Rico.
2023 Volunteer of the Year
Ms. Diane Aboulafia will receive the 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award. Ms. Aboulafia has been a dedicated volunteer with the Binaytara Foundation, contributing her time and expertise to a wide range of projects. She has helped organize fundraising events, provided administrative support, and served as a mentor to students interested in healthcare careers. Her commitment to the Foundation's mission has been truly invaluable.
"We are thrilled to honor these outstanding individuals for their exceptional contributions to healthcare. Their work is an inspiration to all of us, and we are grateful for their dedication and service."
Dr. Binay Shah, President, Binaytara Foundation.
These awards will be presented at the Binaytara Foundation's Annual Gala, to be held on April 29, 2023, from 6:00-9:00 PM, at the Grand Hyatt in Seattle, Washington. The event will include entertainment, live & silent auctions, dining, learning, friendship, and more – all in support of our mission. Register here!
The Binaytara Foundation is a global cancer non-profit dedicated to improving access to cancer care in the United States and abroad through education and innovative program models that break down barriers and advance best practices in hematology and oncology. The Binaytara Foundation’s major projects include hematology and oncology conferences and the establishment of a cancer hospital in Nepal. Donate here!