CLEVELAND – Minority-health advocate, esteemed physician and beloved educator Edgar Jackson, M.D., of University Hospitals Case Medical Center, received the Crystal Stair Award, the highest recognition given by the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, on March 27 in Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Jackson was the fourth recipient ever of this award designed specifically for the commission. The Crystal Award will recognize his significant accomplishments in the field of medicine and the uplifting of minority people.
“You have walked with Kings and kept the common touch. The respect of your colleagues and the community serve as testimony to your expertise, compassion, dedication and commitment,” wrote Cheryl A. Boyce, M.S., Executive Director of the Commission on Minority Health, in a letter informing Dr. Jackson of the award earlier this month. The Ohio Commission on Minority Health was established in 1987 to fund innovative, culturally sensitive projects designed to reduce the incidence and severity of diseases or conditions impacting minority populations.
Dr. Jackson has been a champion of diversity initiatives for more than 35 years, particularly wrestling with issues of health disparities. In 1997, Dr. Jackson helped to found University Hospitals Otis Moss, Jr. Health Center in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood. The center strives to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of its patients. Dr. Jackson also created the David Satcher Clerkship, named after the former U.S. Surgeon General, to introduce visiting fourth-year minority medical students to University Hospitals with the hope of attracting them as residents.
He is one of 1500 physicians in the United States who has been elected to the prestigious Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.
Dr. Jackson is Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of UH and the Presidents of UH and UH Case Medical Center. The UH Board of Directors established an endowed chair to honor Dr. Jackson’s devoted service to the hospital, the community and to medical education ensuring that the next generation of healthcare leaders embraces the diversity of the population. This is the only endowed chair of its kind in the nation.
“Dr. Jackson is truly deserving of this award,” said Thomas F. Zenty III, CEO of University Hospitals. “He exemplifies all of the qualities to be found in a tireless proponent of improving access to health care in the minority community and a highly respected educator who seeks to achieve diversity in the health care professions. Diversity is a critical element in the overall success of our work here at University Hospitals, and we will continue to measure our success in this area.”