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Academy of Eating Disorders Award for Excellence in Advocacy
In April, 2005, the Academy of Eating Disorders honored David B. Herzog, M.D., with its Award for Excellence in Advocacy. Debra L. Franko, Ph.D., presented the award to Dr. Herzog at the Academy of Eating Disorders Conference in Montreal. Below is the text of Dr. Franko's presentation:
"I'm so pleased to be able to present this award to Dr. David Herzog for Excellence in Advocacy. I can think of no one more deserving of this award. Dr. Herzog's tireless efforts on behalf of those with eating disorders span several decades at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Twelve years ago, Dr. Herzog established the Harvard Eating Disorders Center, which transitioned to Massachusetts General Hospital in 2005 (Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders). As part of its mission, the Center strives to promote the healthy development of all at risk. In addition, David has made groundbreaking progress in calling attention to eating disorders as a national health policy issue. As many of you know, it is no small feat to bring together individual organizations to work toward a common cause. Yet that is exactly what Dr. Herzog did five years ago when he convened the Academy for Eating Disorders, EDAP (now NEDA), ANAD, and representatives from the Renfrew Center and other treatment centers. As a result of these collaborations, the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action (EDC) was born. Active on Capitol Hill since 2000, the EDC is a cooperative of professional and advocacy-based organizations dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with eating disorders and their families. In addition to founding the Coalition, Dr. Herzog served as its first president. Now, the Coalition boasts over 22 member organizations and an annual national policy conference in Washington, D.C. It is because of David's vision, wisdom, infectious enthusiasm, and seemingly boundless energy that the Coalition is as vibrant as it is today.
As Dr. Herzog allies closely with the EDC on the national front, he is also seeking mental health parity for eating disorders here in Massachusetts through his work with Health Law Advocates and the state legislature. David welcomes every opportunity - speaking to reporters, talking with government officials, hitting a golf ball - to fight for more research dollars, more insurance coverage, more awareness of these life-threatening disorders. And he does all this in addition to his work as a clinician, a researcher, a professor, and a mentor. He is a true champion in the field who advocates for eating disorders with charm, grace, and humor. It is with great pride that I present this award to Dr. David Herzog and thank him for his efforts on behalf of the Academy for Eating Disorders."
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