Doctors Without Borders, Constance E. Lieber Recognized for Humanitarian Work

Chad David Kraus

In addition to honoring leaders in mental health research, BBRF also celebrates those who strive to improve the lives of people with mental illness through philanthropic or humanitarian means through presentation of the Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health. The award is named for Herbert Pardes, M.D., who was the inaugural recipient.

The 2017 prize was presented to Doctors Without Borders/Mȳdecins Sans FrontiȲres (MSF). Though MSF was initially created with the intent of providing surgery and other physical treatment to people during a war or natural disaster, the organization quickly realized that some wounds are invisible. In 1998 MSF formally made providing mental health services to people in crisis part of its mission. MSF Executive Director Jason Cone accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

BBRF also gave an honorary Pardes prize to the late Constance E. Lieber, who along with her husband, Stephen, was a tireless advocate for mental health. Pardes described her as “a global champion of psychiatric research and a deeply caring and visionary philanthropist, who committed her life to alleviating the suffering from mental illness.”

Constance Lieber served as BBRF president from 1989 to 2007 and president emeritus until 2016. Under her leadership, the Foundation became a major global institution in mental health and psychiatric research. Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., president and CEO of BBRF and editor-in-chief of Psychiatric News, said, “Connie continues to be our guiding light, providing inspiration and motivation to all who ever had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with her.” ■