This prestigious award recognizes exemplary scientific research achievements that provide major insights into the biological mechanisms relating tobacco smoking and human disease. It has been given annually since 1986 by Ochsner Health. Recipients receive a $15,000 honorarium, an award medallion, and a plaque describing their key research findings.
About Dr. Alton Ochsner
The award is named in honor of Dr. Alton Ochsner, co-founder of the Ochsner Clinic (now known as Ochsner Health) based in New Orleans, LA. In 1939, Dr. Ochsner published the first evidence indicating that tobacco smoking was the major cause of lung cancer. These seminal research findings led to a succession of scientific studies in the United States and worldwide resulting in the identification of the underlying causes associated with diseases related to smoking.
More information is available by emailing AOSRA@ochsner.org.
2024 Award Recipient
David A. Schwartz, MD
Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Immunology
Director of the Program to Advance Physician Scientists and Translational Research
University of Colorado’s Anschutz School of Medicine
Dr. Schwartz won the 39th annual Alton Ochsner Award for his research on how genetic and environmental factors, including smoking, contribute to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). He found that a specific change in the MUC5B gene increases the risk of developing IPF. Smoking can increase this risk by three to five times and activates the MUC5B gene. This discovery helps identify people at risk for IPF early, even before any symptoms appear; advances novel mechanisms of disease pathogenesis; and suggests new ways to treat all forms of a disease that has limited therapeutic options.
“I am honored to be recognized for our contributions to lung fibrosis,” said Dr. Schwartz. “My team at the University of Colorado and my collaborators around the world have made these discoveries possible. We are hopeful that our recent advances in the way we think about this progressive disease will ultimately benefit patients with lung fibrosis.”
2023 - Ken J. Kellar, Ph.D.
2023 - Ryan E. Hibbs, Ph.D.
The selection committee of The Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Disease is comprised of a blue ribbon panel of academicians, clinicians, and scientists. Nominations are broadly solicited from hospitals, medical schools, and leading scientists from all over the world. The process considers research or clinical contributions so important that it made a major impact on the overall scientific knowledge and medical practice linking cigarette smoking to health.
Robert M. Carey, MD, MACP
Professor of Medicine, Dean, Emeritus
University of Virginia
School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
Aram V. Chobanian, MD
President Emeritus, Dean Emeritus, Professor of Medicine
Boston
University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
John T. Cole, MD
Vice Chairman, Medical Specialties
Ochsner Health, New Orleans, LA
Steve Nelson, MD
Dean
Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Richard N. Re, MD
Scientific Director
Ochsner Health, New Orleans, LA
Leonardo Seoane, MD, FACP
Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, Ochsner Health
Professor of Medicine, University of Queensland School of Medicine
David Taylor, MD
Chairman, Department of Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine
Ochsner
Health, New Orleans, LA
Paul K. Whelton, MB, MD, MSc
Show Chwan Professor of Global Public Health, Department of
Epidemiology
Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
