FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2014
DEARBORN, Mich. -- It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Dr. Adnan Hammad from his current position as senior director of the Community Health and Research Center (CHRC), effective June 1.
For the past 20 years, Dr. Hammad has been an integral member of the leadership team at ACCESS. He will be genuinely missed. As a result of his dynamic and passionate advocacy, Dr. Hammad grew what was once a small health program, to the current tri-county operation, with a budget of over $7 million that has reached well over tens of thousands of clients.
Due to his tireless efforts, ACCESS’ health initiatives are now globally recognized and the CHRC is the only World Health Organization (WHO)-affiliated site in North America. Dr. Adnan has authored and co-authored over 170 publications and received numerous awards for his leadership in public health, including the American Cancer Society’s National Humanitarian Award, the Wayne State School of Medicine Pathfinder’s in Medicine Award and the St. George National Award, to name just a few.
Dr. Hammad will be assuming a new role as a senior consultant, spearheading national and international health and research initiatives, in particular the 7th International Conference on Health Issues in Arab Communities, which is currently scheduled to be held in Muscat, Oman, from March 1-7, 2015.
We are confident that, as ACCESS initiates a national search for a new director to lead the CHRC, our capable and talented staff will continue to serve our clients with professionalism and dedication to the mission of our organization. ACCESS Chief Operating Officer Lina Harajli will oversee the department during the transition.
“The number of human lives that were cared for during the past two decades because of Dr. Hammad’s commitment and passion to the well-being of our community is extraordinary,” says ACCESS Executive Director Hassan Jaber. “His exceptional talent to create programs that meet the needs of our clients serves as the foundation that the CHRC was built upon.”
“I have always been impressed with Dr. Hammad’s ability to connect with the clients we serve – he understands them, he cares about them, and he advocates for them,” added Deputy Executive Director and CFO Maha Freij. “This ability to relate to our clients is the driving force behind his comprehensive global vision, his exceptional leadership and his passion to serve our community.”
“As I embark on this new journey to strengthen the name of ACCESS and the Arab American community in the global health arena, I leave with great confidence and trust in the CHRC team,” Hammad said. “I know that, without them, the CHRC programs would not be where they are today. I am certain that these wonderful individuals will continue my legacy of caring for the health of those in need each and every day.”
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Grounded in the Arab-American tradition of hospitality, ACCESS has a 43-year history of providing social, health, education and legal services in greater Detroit to empower people to lead healthy, informed and productive lives. Today, ACCESS extends that mission to a national platform through advocacy, arts, culture and philanthropy. Visit us online at www.accesscommunity.org.