The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is saddened by the loss of one of our first Hilton Humanitarian Prize jurors and one of the world’s great leaders in the public health arena, Former Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop, who served on the Prize jury from 1996-1999.
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is saddened by the loss of one of our first Hilton Humanitarian Prize jurors and one of the world’s great leaders in the public health arena, Former Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop. Dr. Koop served on the Prize jury from 1996-1999, lending his unique perspective to the consideration of our first Prize nominees.
Appointed as the 13th surgeon general of the United States by President Reagan in 1981, Dr. Koop was known for bringing world attention to the AIDS epidemic as well as the health dangers of smoking. He was an inspirational leader and outspoken on issues that he felt mattered in the public health arena. Interestingly, he is likely one of the only surgeon generals the public can name today.
While his passing is a loss to the world, it is also one for the Hilton Humanitarian Prize, to which he contributed insight, expertise and inspiration in our earliest days. He will be missed.