Local doctor awarded for research into eliminating healthcare inequality

BOSTON — A surgeon at one of the busiest Boston hospitals is now being recognized with one of the nation's most prestigious awards for his research into eliminating health care inequalities.

The Ellis Island Medal of Honor recognizes individuals who work to improve the lives of Americans, and previous recipients include six presidents, Rosa Parks and Mohammad Ali.

Dr. Adil Haider an example of someone who has achieved the American Dream. His Muslim Pakistani parents moved to the United States to pursue a better life, and then, in turn, inspired him to improve lives for others as a doctor.

“Being the son of immigrants, I had this feeling and hope and desire- maybe I felt it was my calling, that I needed to go to work in a less developed area,” he said.

Dr. Haider, a trauma surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said that his current research opened his eyes to the inequalities here in the United States. He's is now looking at how medical professionals unconsciously treat patients differently, depending on their ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

“If you happen to be black and you get into- for example, a bad car crash and you have some major trauma, your chance of death increased by about 20 percent just because you happen to be African American versus a similar injury to a white person,” Haider told Boston 25 News.

Haider's mission is to understand why this happens and eliminate inequalities in care. He credits the diversity in Boston for helping to inspire him and hopes it inspires others as well.

“This diversity we have in Boston, maybe that's our strength- that people get to know people who don't exactly look like them. But that's why we're so productive with working with one another,” he said.

Dr. Haider will receive the award in May. The ceremony, recognized by Congress, will be held on Ellis Island, an American symbol of immigration and inclusiveness.

Cox Media Group