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ACSH Distinguished Achievement Awardee--C. Everett Koop, M.D.

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C. Everett Koop, known to friends as Chick, an accomplished pediatric surgeon, served as U.S. Surgeon General from 1981 to 1989. He took leadership roles in confronting difficult and contentious issues — including cigarette smoking and AIDS — always guided by science, never by ideology. During his tenure as Surgeon General, Dr. Koop raised the profile of spectrum of public health issues — and, of course, in doing so he generated controversy.

I recall a story Chick's wife, Betty, told me a number of years ago. Early one morning when he was leaving the house, Betty called out "Where are you going?" Chick responded, "I'm going to give a speech about the role of condoms in AIDS prevention." Betty considered this and called out as he drove away, "It's a good thing your mother is dead!"

Chick Koop, one of the founders of modern pediatric surgery, became an international sensation when he successfully separated two female Siamese twins in 1957. During his tenure as Surgeon General, Chick helped Americans to understand AIDS — its causes, transmission, consequences, and prevention measures — materially changing medical and public conceptions of the disease. Chick's anti-smoking crusade will long be remembered as being among the greatest triumphs of public health.

For decades of service to medicine and public health, ACSH presents its 25th anniversary award for distinguished service to America's family doctor, Dr. C. Everett Koop.

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Other Awardees:

Bruce N. Ames, Ph.D. 

Norman E. Borlaug, Ph.D.

Robert L. Bartley

Donald A. Henderson, M.D., M.P.H.

Mark B. McClellan, M.D., Ph.D.