Auburn University to recognize orthopedic surgeon, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at International Quality of Life Awards event

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Auburn University’s College of Human Sciences will recognize St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews at the 26th annual International Quality of Life Awards in New York City on Dec. 9.  

For the past 25 years, the College of Human Sciences has sponsored the prestigious International Quality of Life Awards, or IQLA, honoring people, partnerships and organizations that have made significant and lasting contributions to individual, family and community well-being locally and around the world.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is the 2019 IQLA Laureate, while Andrews is the recipient of the IQLA Lifetime Achievement Award.

“All IQLA laureates and lifetime achievement honorees, regardless of background, have distinguished themselves professionally and demonstrate a strong commitment to empowerment through public policy, education, the arts and other initiatives to enhance quality of life,” said Susan Hubbard, dean of the College of Human Sciences. “The 2019 honorees certainly meet and exceed these qualities and we look forward to making the official presentation in New York this December.”

One of the primary goals of IQLA is to inspire students by exposing them to industry leaders who prioritize giving back through their work. The select group of Auburn University students participating in the IQLA New York Study Tour will join the ceremony as IQLA Ambassadors. This year’s honorees are especially inspiring for the college’s pre-health students, as both are renowned for their work in the medical field.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is being honored for its contributions to humanity’s overall health and well-being. St. Jude advances the search for cures and preventative measures of childhood cancer and other life-threatening pediatric diseases. The organization’s research into childhood cancer has helped increase the survival rate of the disease by more than 60 percent. St. Jude also shares its discoveries with doctors and scientists worldwide, so that their life-saving knowledge can be disseminated around the globe.

Andrews is renowned globally for his scientific and clinical research contributions to knee, shoulder and elbow injury prevention and treatment. He serves as the medical director and orthopedic surgeon for Auburn Athletics, as well as the senior orthopedic consultant for the University of Alabama and Washington Redskins and is the orthopedic medical director for the Tampa Bay Rays.

Previous years’ IQLA events have been conducted at the United Nations, but a recent change in UN policy has discontinued all evening functions. This year’s black tie event will be held at the historic Lotte New York Palace. For ticket and table information, visit www.IQLA.auburn.edu or email chscomm@auburn.edu.

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