Hanna-Attisha, who played an integral role in uncovering the Flint Water Crisis and leading recovery efforts, will be presented with the Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership on April 17 at 4:30 p.m. in the LaRose Digital Theatre.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, founder and director of the Michigan State University and Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, will be honored on April 17 with the Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
The presentation takes place at 4:30 p.m. in the LaRose Digital Theatre, located in the Ernest A. Koury, Sr. Business Center. The first 200 guests will receive a copy of Hanna-Attisha’s best-selling book, “What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City.” Sponsored by the Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, the program is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.
The Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership recognizes an individual who is a leader in his or her industry and who exemplifies the values of Elon University – integrity, innovation and creativity, passion for lifelong learning, and a commitment to building a dynamic community.
A pediatrician, scientist, activist and author, Hanna-Attisha has testified twice before the U.S. Congress, received the Freedom of Expression Courage Award by PEN America and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for her role in uncovering the Flint Water Crisis and leading recovery efforts. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, BBC and other media outlets championing the cause of children in Flint and beyond. She is also the founding donor of the Flint Child Health and Development Fund.
The story of how Hanna-Attisha used science to prove Flint children were exposed to lead and how she courageously went public with her research, facing a brutal backlash, speaks to the spirit of the Elon award. She exemplifies courage, leadership, integrity, service, lifelong learning and giving, as well as a deep commitment to building dynamic and healthy communities of engagement.
Her best-selling book, “What the Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City,” is a riveting account of a shameful disaster that became a tale of activism and hope. It’s the story of a city that came together to fight for justice, self-determination and the right to build a better world for their—and all of our—children. The book was a 2018 New York Times 100 Notable Book, NPR Science Friday Best Science Book of 2018 and 2019 Michigan Notable Book.
Hanna-Attisha received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan and her medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MUS CHM). She completed her residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, where she was chief resident. She is currently an associate professor of pediatrics and human development at MSU CHM.
Past recipients of the Elon University Medal for Entrepreneurial Leadership include:
2009 – Jim Goodnight, CEO and founder, SAS
2010 – Bernard A. Harris, Jr., CEO and managing partner, Vesalius Ventures, Inc.
2012 – Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; founder, Grameen Bank; chairman, Yunus Centre
2013 – Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, founder and CEO, Pace Communications; chairman of the board, American Red Cross
2014 – Patrick G. Awuah, Jr., founder and president, Ashesi University
2015 – Guy Harvey, wildlife artist and conservationist
2016 – Alexander Julian, fashion and furniture designer
2017 – Louis DeJoy, president, LDJ Global Strategies, LLC
2018 – Mitch Kapor, partner, Kapor Capital; partner, Kapor Center for Social Impact