Harold Rifkin Award to Viswanathan Mohan

Dr Viswanathan Mohan, Chairman, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre and President, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), has been presented with the prestigious “Dr Harold Rifkin Award for Distinguished International Service in the Cause of Diabetes” by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

This award is given in the memory of Dr Harold Rifkin, an internationally-recognised clinician, researcher and educator in diabetes. It is one of the ADA’s highest scientific achievement awards, given annually to an individual whose efforts have increased awareness of the burden of diabetes worldwide, to improve the care and lives of those with diabetes.

Dr Mohan is the first Indian doctor to be conferred with this award, which recognises his outstanding service to the cause of diabetes.

Dr Mohan established the Sai Rural Diabetes Project at Chunampet, which is internationally-recognised as a model for rural diabetes care in developing countries and provides life-long, free treatment to thousands of poor patients through his diabetic clinics.

In 2012, his extensive contribution in the field of diabetes was recognised by the Indian Government with the awarding of the prestigious Padma Shri. MDRF and Deakin signed their first MoU in December 2013 with the aim of promoting diabetes research and education in the India-Pacific region.

Dr Mohan was also recently awarded a Deakin Honorary Doctorate for his outstanding service to people with diabetes in India and other developing countries, and his exceptional scholarship in the global field of diabetes research.

The award was presented by the President of the American Diabetes Association, Dr Jane Reusch, during the 78th Scientific Sessions of the ADA at Orlando, Florida on June 25, 2018.

Learn more about Deakin’s Research partnership with the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation.