About Dr. Lown
Dr. Bernard Lown, the founder of the Lown Institute, was one of the most distinguished physicians of the 20th century. His contributions to cardiology alone were massive and improved the lives of millions. But his influence extended far beyond the clinic. He challenged racist policies at his medical school, founded an organization to care for children injured in the Vietnam War, organized doctors in Massachusetts for universal health care, and spoke out on climate change. Most well-known is his work uniting physicians around the world against nuclear proliferation, for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Bernard Lown Award for Social Responsibility
Dr. Lown died in early 2021 at the age of 99. To honor his memory, we have created the Bernard Lown Award for Social Responsibility. This annual award, including a $25,000 prize, will be given to a person aged 45 or younger who, in addition to working as a clinician in the United States, stands out for their bold leadership in social justice, environmentalism, global peace, or other notable humanitarian efforts.