Doctor Danan receives Irene M. Auberlin award

Irene M. Auberlin, founder of World Medical Relief, is a shining example of how one person can make a difference in the world. Her mission, once described as "turning the sins of waste into the miracles of mercy", lives on in the minds and hearts of those she has affected.

It is in her honor that the Irene M. Auberlin Award is presented each year to an individual who, over time, has displayed the same commitment and dedication to helping World Medical Relief fulfill its mission of relieving human suffering throughout the world. This year's recipient is Bernardo M. Danan, M.D. from Bloomfield Hills. The award ceremony took place during the "International Celebration of Life".

Doctor Danan met Irene Auberlin in the early 80's and she convinced him to become involved with World Medical Relief. A surgeon, he began volunteering in his spare time, sorting and packing surgical instruments. He also linked his resources at St. John Health and Henry Ford Health Systems and Beaumont Hospital with the organization. In 1988, he was elected to WMR's Board of Directors, sharing his expertise for three consecutive terms. He serves as Vice-Chair for much of that time. In 2005, Dr Danan was reelected to the board and is now serving his second term.

As a member of the Filipino Medical Association of Michigan he was instrumental in putting together medical mission teams, and for the last 20 years, he has participated in medical missions to poor areas of the Philippines. In September 2003, Doctor Danan travelled as WMR's representative with Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, and Ambassador Richard Holbrook, President and CEO of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDSA in a mission to Africa. They were to investigate HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria pandemics and seek new and creative ways to improve and expand U.S. efforts in Africa.