The American Irish Historical Society (AIHS) named Dr. Kevin Cahill its 2013 Gold Medalist recipient.

The society’s highest honor, the Gold Medal is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to Irish American life. The 2013 Medal will be presented to Dr. Kevin Cahill during the organization’s 116th Annual Dinner, on Thursday November 7, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, in New York City.

As a distinguished doctor of medicine, Dr Kevin Cahill has not only treated patients including Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan, but has offered his vast expertise to a number of national and international organizations including the United Nations and the New York City Police Department, where he is chief medical advisor for counterterrorism.

These efforts to aid human suffering and need come as no surprise considering that Dr Cahill began his medical career in 1961, studying tropical disease in the slums of Calcutta alongside Mother Teresa.

 “Dr Kevin Cahill has an outstanding reputation for successfully building and guiding the American Irish Historical Society for over 40 years,” said Tom Dowling, President General of the American Irish Historical Society.

“Lesser known is Dr Cahill’s dedication to improving the health and welfare of communities around the world.”

From 1969-2006 he was chairman of the department of tropical medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, where he taught over 4,000 medical students over the course of his career. In addition, he has also been director of the tropical disease center at Lenox Hill Hospital, clinical professor of tropical medicine and molecular parasitology at NYU Medical School, and the Consultant in Tropical Medicine for the United Nations Health Services.
 
“I’m honored to accept this award and thrilled to be considered in the company of the previous Gold Medal winners,” said Dr. Cahill.

“Their collective accomplishments are a source of tremendous inspiration and pride to the American Irish Historical Society.”

Respected and admired by his peers, Dr. Cahill’s accomplishments are many: He has received 27 honorary doctorate degrees and written many influential works that chronicle his experiences as a tropicalist and a physician, as well as articles and essays on his love for Irish literature, art, culture, humanitarian efforts and international diplomacy.

Previous AIHS Gold Medalist honorees include: Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Regan; Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan; Cardinal John O’Connor of New York; musician Bono; actor Liam Neeson; Loretta Brennan Glucksman, Chairman Emeritus of the American Ireland Fund; Author Mary Higgins Clark; Sir Anthony O’Reilly, former Chairman of H.J. Heinz Company; Donald Keough, former president and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company and Chairman Emeritus of Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees; New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, and many others.

The reception honoring Dr. Cahill at begins at 6:30pm, with Dinner at 7:30.  Tickets begin at $1,000 for an Individual Ticket, with Select and Premier Tables available for $10,000 and $25,000 respectively.  Any other donations or offers of support are welcome as well.  If you would like to purchase tickets or make a donation, please visit this address, or contact the AIHS at 212-288-2263.