23rd Annual Ellis Island Medal of Honor Ceremony Honors Reza Momeni, M.D., of Summit Medical Group
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR INQUIRIES FROM MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Maureen Bennett at 908-277-8834 or mbennett@smgnj.com
FOR ALL OTHER INQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 908-273-4300.
Ceremony Paid Tribute to American Citizens of Diverse Ethnic Origins
Whose Influence and Achievements Inspire and Touch the Lives of People Everywhere
NEW YORK, NY -- The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) presented the 23rd Annual Ellis Island Medals of Honor on Ellis Island, Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 6 p.m. The ceremony was followed by the annual Gala Awards Dinner in the historic Great Hall.
Among the recipients of the distinguished award this year was Reza Momeni, MD, plastic and reconstructive surgeon with the Plastic Surgery Center at Summit Medical Group. Dr. Momeni was born in Iran and traveled with his parents on UN Missions to Afghanistan and Pakistan. As a young boy, he became interested in other cultures in general and in international humanitarian efforts in particular. He carried this enthusiasm for helping others throughout his life and into his professional career as a Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon.
At the age of 15, along with his family, he immigrated to the U.S., where he went on to graduate, magna cum laude, from Haverford College, and summa cum laude from the Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel University School of Medicine), both in greater Philadelphia. During Dr. Momeni’s residency training at Yale University, he became actively involved in international missions with the goal of providing free cleft surgery to children in poor or developing countries.
To date, he has traveled to Brazil, Columbia, Philippines, and China with numerous non-profit organizations, namely Smile Train, Healing the Children, and Changing Children’s Lives. Dr. Momeni’s upcoming plans include a mission to Ecuador and a trip to Nicaragua. Along with the dedicated members of these traveling teams, several hundred children have received much needed surgeries at no cost.
Each year since 1986, NECO – whose mission is to honor our diverse Past, to advocate for positive change in the Present, and to build strong leaders for the Future – has honored our nation's diverse past by sponsoring the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. The Ellis Island Medals of Honor annually pays tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America’s unique cultural mosaic. The Medals are presented on Ellis Island, in a dramatic ceremony, to American citizens of diverse origins for their outstanding contributions to their communities, their nation and the world.
According to Nasser J. Kazeminy, Chairman of NECO, “NECO is about investing in the power of caring, whereas people from all cultures and walks of life stand together arm in arm to make a real difference in our world through shared compassion and philanthropy – not just for now, but to also inspire future generations who will continue to preserve and build upon the legacy that each of our cultures has contributed. With our Medalists, we will see America – at its best. We will see every color, every race from so many walks of life – together – celebrating – the magic that is America. Our Medalists’ influence and achievements truly inspire and touch the lives of people everywhere.”
Past Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipients include six Presidents of the United States, Nobel Prize winners, athletes, leaders of industry, artists and others whose work has made a lasting impact on humanity. They are awarded annually to outstanding American citizens, from all walks of life, who have distinguished themselves through their significant contributions to this country. The Ellis Island Medal of Honor ranks among the nation’s most prestigious awards. The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, and each year the recipients are listed in the Congressional Record. To date, more than 1,500 American citizens have received Ellis Island Medals of Honor. One other Summit Medical Group physician, William A. Tansey, III, MD, cardiologist, was a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
For further information about NECO and the Ellis Island Medals of Honor, please visit: www.neco.org.
