A-BE-C recently presented its Richard W. Grady Humanitarian Award to John P. Gearhart, M.D., Johns Hopkins Professor of Pediatrics and Urology. The distinguished award was presented during the 2022 International Exstrophy Conference in Baltimore, MD.

The award honors those who have elevated the standards of care for children born with the rare medical condition of bladder exstrophy. Dr. Gearhart, a world-renowned pediatric surgeon, was recognized for providing care to over 1,000 patients from the United States and 16 other countries for the past 35 years.

About Dr. John Gearhart

Known for his tireless work to improve the treatment of bladder exstrophy, Dr. Gearhart has authored over 480 papers and trained 38 surgeons to perform the most complex urological reconstructive surgeries by providing surgical workshops at Johns Hopkins as well as traveling to underserved countries to train local doctors.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the bladder exstrophy community as a humanitarian,” said Dr. Gearhart. “My sincere hope is that this award will increase awareness of the need to educate surgeons in underserved countries, and of the continuous care exstrophy children require for their entire lives.”

Dr. Gearhart, along with his medical team and other Johns Hopkins trained surgeons, will travel to Uganda in October, 2022. In addition to providing follow-up care to previous patients, Dr. Gearhart and his team will hold a week-long exstrophy training and surgical workshop for Ugandan surgeons and invited physicians from other sub-saharan countries.

“Over 15 young patients will be provided life changing surgeries and ongoing care,” explains Pamela Artigas, Executive Director of A-BE-C. “We are honored to have Dr. Gearhart and his team volunteer their time and expertise to train the next generation of pediatric surgeons specializing in this rare birth defect. The outcomes of this workshop will continue to make a global impact on the lives of children with bladder exstrophy for many years to come.”

About the Richard W. Grady Humanitarian Award

Named for the late Dr. Richard W. Grady of Seattle Children’s, an internationally known expert and humanitarian known for inspiring and leading initiatives to reduce world suffering related to the condition of bladder exstrophy, the Richard W. Grady Humanitarian award is given to recognize the work of others with this same spirit. Established in 2018, the award honors individuals for their outstanding humanitarian and volunteer work to improve the health of those affected by bladder exstrophy. Award recipients are identified as individuals who exemplify the highest value of leadership, excellence in clinical care and research, innovation, teaching, volunteerism, advocacy, and dedication to improve the health of those living with bladder exstrophy around the world.