Charles Graham Woodward, MD, of St. Charles, has been honored by Northwestern Medicine with the 2017 Humanitarian Award.

Woodward, an occupational health physician at Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group, is one of only five staff members presented with awards for their extraordinary contributions to the community and embodying the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Woodward was recognized for his work with Healing Hands Mission, a not-for-profit organization he founded to provide medical assistance to those without access in Guatemala. Healing Hands provides medical services to several small villages in remote regions of Guatemala through a volunteer team that includes physicians, nurses, a dentist, an optician, physical therapists and medical students.

On a recent mission, Woodward and his team treated 1,000 patient in just four days, providing: 100 referrals for follow up care with providers in Guatemala City; 400 pairs of prescription glasses; 75 teeth extractions; and 400 treatment days of medicals were prescribed and distributed to pregnant women, infants, children and other adult patients including 5,000 vitamins.

Healing Hands also helped expand emergency care in the village providing an AED, advanced respiratory equipment, burn care packs, suture trays and obstetrics packs. VIDEO

The Humanitarian Awards Program launched in 1979 to commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King and to celebrate his virtues and ideals of community giving, equality, unity and excellence. The award honors individuals, both employees and physicians from across the Northwestern Medicine health system, who best exemplify the ideals of Dr. King, as demonstrated by a positive impact in the community. Since its creation the Humanitarian Award has been awarded to 70 employees and 23 physicians.

Rami Nashashibi, PhD, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), delivered the keynote address about the ideals and humanitarian efforts of King and his lasting impact on the city of Chicago. Nashashibi and IMAN led the community-driven creation of the first permanent memorial to King in the state of Illinois. The MLK Living Memorial Project was dedicated last August in Marquette Park on Chicago’s southwest side.

“I’m inspired, I’m in awe of those that continue to make that sacrifice; who remind one another that it is possible; that remind all of us that living up to those values that are enshrined in our documents; that are enshrined in those that have reminded us time and time again that what makes the country great, what makes the city great, is the vision of those who have never tired from helping us realize our full human potential,” remarked Nashashibi during his address.

To learn more about Northwestern Medicine, visit http://news.nm.org/about-northwestern-medicine.html.

• Feature Photo Caption: Dr. Charles G. Woodward is presented the 2017 Northwestern Medicine Humanitarian Award by Sharon Okoh, Awards Committee member

SOURCE: Northwestern Medicine news release