HINJ Presents 2016 Honors at Annual Life Sciences Celebration

On Oct 6, 2016

The HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) honored five individuals and one organization for their contributions in public service, medical sciences research, patient access/advocacy and education in the state. The morning event, held at the historic Masonic Temple in Trenton, was attended by hundreds of life sciences and healthcare, higher education and political leaders in the state.

Jeffrey S. Sherman, executive vice president and general counsel, BD, and chair of HINJ’s Board of Trustees, commented, “There is much to celebrate in New Jersey’s life sciences community.  HINJ is delighted to recognize the achievements of this distinguished group, who, like our HINJ member companies, have demonstrated a sustained commitment across a broad spectrum of activities to medical innovation and improving the human condition.”

According to HINJ President and Chief Executive Officer Dean J. Paranicas, “It is entirely fitting that we honor the efforts of those who share our industry’s ideals. The life sciences community in New Jersey has a long and distinguished history — and I am confident that we will long continue to be a global leader.”

Receiving the Honorable Bob Franks Public Service Award was Herb Conaway, Jr., M.D., a  member of the New Jersey General Assembly and chair of its Health and Senior Services Committee. Conaway is serving his 10th term representing the 7th legislative district in New Jersey. He holds the distinction of being the only member with both a medical and a law degree.  Conaway also serves as vice chairman of the State and Local Government Committee and is a member of the Appropriations Committee.  He practices internal medicine in Trenton.

The Research Award went to Michael F. Christman, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Coriell Institute for Medical Research. Dr. Christman joined Coriell in 2007 and initiated the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative (CPMC), which now involves more than 8,500 participants in 48 states, multiple hospital partners and numerous research collaborators.  Under his leadership, Coriell also launched Coriell Life Sciences to provide a medication management tool for clinical use and established a federally-funded Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell lab.  Prior to Coriell, Dr. Christman served as professor and founding chair of the Department of Genetics and Genomics for Boston University School of Medicine.

Two people affiliated with Children’s Specialized Hospital received the Patient Access/Advocacy award: Amy B. Mansue, president, Southern Region, RWJBarnabas Health and former president and CEO of Children’s Specialized Hospital; and Warren E. Moore, FACHE, the current President and Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Specialized Hospital.

Special recognition was given to Barry R. Komisaruk, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Rutgers University Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor. Dr. Komisaruk serves as the director of the NIH – Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program, which aims to help fill the nation’s shortage of minority men and women in biomedical research careers.

Founded in 1997, the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ) serves as the voice for the state’s life sciences industry.  HINJ seeks to expand patient access to the most innovative biopharmaceuticals and medical devices and promote awareness of the industry’s impact on New Jersey’s quality of life and economic well-being.

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