Tamara Fitzgerald, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Surgery, has received the 2026 Humanitarian Award from Boston University's Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Alumni Association. The association presented Dr. Fitzgerald the award, "In recognition of exemplifying the highest ideals of compassion, service, and dedication to improving health and enhancing the lives of others, and dedication to addressing surgical disparities through global surgery capacity building and medical device design."
In its citation of Dr. Fitzgerald's work, the association wrote:
Dr. Fitzgerald's research interests have focused on innovation and implementation of medical devices designed for low-income countries. Working in a multi-disciplinary collaboration that includes surgeons, neonatologists, midwives, biomedical engineers, lawyers, business associates, entrepreneurs, and global health experts from the US and Uganda, the team uses human-centered design to reimagine access to surgery. Such devices have included the KeyScope, which is a laparascope designed for the needs and resources in Uganda, and a low-cost silo for gastroschisis. This work has included in-country manufacturing and Ugandan-led business models to create a sustainable ecosystem for medical device development in Africa. These devices are currently entering clinical trials in Uganda, with plans for dissemination in other low- and middle-income countries.
Dr. Fitzgerald is a three-time graduate of Boston University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in 1997 and both a Doctor of Philosophy in biomedical engineering and a Doctor of Medicine in 2004.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Fitzgerald on this honor.