May 22, 2017, Yerevan – 2017 Aurora Prize Finalist doctor Tom Catena delivered a public lecture at the Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi on May 22. He presented his experience and challenges as a doctor in the war-torn Nuba mountains of Sudan where he has been working at the Mother of Mercy hospital for years. Dr. Tom Catena is the only surgeon at the hospital serving the area with more than 700,000 population.
“I am not a superhuman doctor. I encourage you if you have interest you also can do this work. I was like you 25-30 years ago. Anybody can do this work. It’s a matter of will and the wish to do it. This work is extremely interesting and so gratifying. Don’t be intimidated by the different problems there, by the difficulties of work in Africa,” Tom Catena said to students. “Thank you for giving me an opportunity to show what is happening in Nuba. I really appreciate it.”
Yerevan State Medical University has awarded Tom Catena an honorary doctorate degree for the exceptional humanitarian actions on preserving lives in Sudan’s Nuba mountains.
“Medicine is the most humanitarian profession in general, a mission with a high level of responsibility. We are extremely honored that Tom Catena, the only surgeon of Nuba mountains’ Mother of Mercy hospital, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the decision of Scientific Council of the YSMU,” said Armen Muradyan, YSMU rector. “The Aurora Prize finalist is truly an exceptional humanitarian taking direct responsibility for medical assistance of thousands.”
After the lecture Dr. Tom Catena answered the questions of students and professors.
Dr. Catena’s visit to Armenia has become possible thanks to the efforts of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and three Armenian doctors who left for Sudan’s Nuba mountains to temporarily substitute him at the Mother of Mercy hospital while he is on his trip to Armenia.
In addition to Dr. Catena, the other finalists for the 2017 Aurora Prize are Fartuun Adan and Ilwad Elman, Jamila Afghani, Muhammad Darwish and Dr. Denis Mukwege. They have been chosen for their exceptional impact, courage and commitment to preserving human life and advancing humanitarian causes. The finalists will be honored at the Aurora Prize Ceremony in Yerevan, Armenia on May 28, 2017 when one will be chosen as the 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate. The Aurora Prize Laureate will receive a grant of US$100,000 to support the continuation of their work, as well as a US$1,000,000 award, which will give them the unique ability to continue the cycle of giving by supporting organizations that have inspired their work.