National Health Museum and Discovery Health Channel Honor Health and Medical Leaders at the
Discovery Health Channel Medical Honors

Gala Event Premiered on July 8 on Discovery Health Channel

The National Health Museum and Discovery Health Channel jointly recognized the recipients of the first-ever Discovery Health Channel Medical Honors at a gala event on June 23 in Washington, D.C. The Honors showcased the achievements of individual health care providers, clinical researchers and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to the field of medicine and the health of individuals around the world. Discovery Health Channel broadcast the Hollywood-style ceremony, hosted by television personality Regis Philbin, on July 8.

"We are proud to work with the Discovery Health Channel on this unique opportunity to salute health and medical leaders," said Louis W. Sullivan, MD, Chairman of the National Health Museum. "Our hope is that this program will inspire people to learn more about their own health as well as to further the National Health Museum's goal of encouraging young people to consider careers in the health sciences."

"The inaugural class of Honorees is responsible for some of the greatest lifesaving achievements of our time," said Billy Campbell, President of Discovery Networks. "We are pleased to work with the National Health Museum - an institution that shares our own dedication to educating the public about important advances in health and medicine."

A total of 13 Honors were bestowed in recognition of outstanding contributions to the research and treatment of specific health problems. In addition, the Discovery Health Channel International Honor was given in special recognition of contributions made outside the United States.

The Honorees, who were nominated by the country's leading health care organizations, were confirmed by the event's Advisory Board, which included high-ranking public health officials as well as leaders from academia and the medical community. The 2004 Honorees are:

• The Back to Sleep Campaign, nominated by the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Dr. Ronald Levy, nominated by the American Cancer Society
• Dr. Raghavendra G. Mirmira, nominated by the American Diabetes Association
• Dr. Robert Burgess Jennings, nominated by the American Heart Association
• Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital and Health System, nominated by the American Hospital Association
• Dr. T. Wayne Bailey, nominated by the American Lung Association
• Dr. Antonio J. Grillo-Lopez, nominated by the Biotechnology Industry Organization
• Partnership for a Drug-Free America, nominated by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association
• African Medical & Research Foundation, nominated by Discovery Communications International
• The Black AIDS Institute, nominated by The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
• Dr. David Satcher, nominated by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Dr. Mina J. Bissell and Dr. Walter C. Willet, nominated by The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

About the Discovery Health Channel Medical Honors
The Discovery Health Channel Medical Honors is the first-ever annual salute of the nation's most influential and innovative health care leaders. The Discovery Health Channel brought together in one evening the nation's leading health organizations to honor the providers, clinical researchers and institutions who are making extraordinary contributions to the field of health and medicine. The gala event was held on June 23 at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., and broadcast July 8 from 8-10 PM ET/PT on Discovery Health Channel. Novartis Corporation is the presenting sponsor of the gala. Pfizer is the gold sponsor of the broadcast, and WellPoint is the leading sponsor.

About Discovery Health Channel
Discovery Health Channel takes viewers inside the fascinating and informative world of health and medicine to experience firsthand, compelling, real-life stories of medical breakthroughs and human triumphs. Currently in more than 53 million homes, Discovery Health Channel is the only 24-hour network and Web site - discovery.com/health - devoted to what matters most - health.