Sightsavers’ CEO Dr Caroline Harper has been chosen as the recipient of the first Hemingway Award for her work to help eliminate trachoma.
The award, nominated by the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), was launched in October 2018. It recognises former LSTM director Professor Janet Hemingway’s career and achievements to encourage new medical procedures and practices.
Nominees can be researchers, scientists and professionals from anywhere in the world, and Dr Harper was chosen for her work transforming the funding landscape to treat blinding trachoma.
Under Dr Harper’s leadership, Sightsavers has expanded significantly, treating and protecting millions of people for neglected tropical diseases such as trachoma. She has been key to developing the partnerships that funded the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and has secured more than £150 million to help eliminate blinding trachoma in Africa.
Dr Harper said: “I am honoured to be the first recipient of the Hemingway Award. I only played one part in this: there are so many people within Sightsavers and other organisations, including the World Health Organization, who have played indispensable roles. I must also thank the donors, without whom trachoma would still be rampant, causing untold suffering, particularly across Africa.”
Professor Hemingway said: “I am delighted that Caroline is the first recipient of the new Hemingway Award. She has been instrumental in turning Sightsavers into a global force, building collaborative efforts to reduce trachoma and having a significant impact on health in the tropics.”
The award will be presented at a ceremony in the UK early next year.
Watch Caroline’s TED Talk
In April 2018, Caroline spoke at TED’s annual conference in Vancouver, urging philanthropists to help Sightsavers eliminate blinding trachoma.
More about the talkRead all our latest news stories
News from Sightsavers
Sightsavers to exhibit at UK’s largest optical event
Sightsavers is at the 100% Optical conference in London on 24-26 February, to raise awareness about avoidable blindness and invite eye health professionals to help protect sight worldwide.
Sightsavers awarded grant to help eliminate trachoma in Zambia
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded Sightsavers a grant of US$2.19 million to help fight the disease.
What we achieved in 2023
Sightsavers did incredible things during the year, but we couldn’t have done it without your help. Learn about our achievements, all made possible by you.
