Dr. Pamies receives one of the first Gershom Awards

From left: Rubens Pamies, M.D., UNMC vice chancellor for academic affairs receives Gershom award from Sade Kosoko-Lasaki, M.D., associate vice president of health sciences at Creighton University. She nominated Dr. Pamies for the award.

Rubens Pamies, M.D., UNMC vice chancellor for academic affairs, received an inaugural award from Omaha’s new Gershom Empowerment Center. The award recognizes the unique contributions and service immigrants have made to the United States.

Pamies, the son of Haitian immigrants, moved to Queens, N.Y., at the age of six. The Gershom award honored his lifetime commitment to medicine and reducing health disparities within minority populations.

“The award highlights the positive contributions people have made to our community who are foreign born,” said Ope Banwo, Gershom Empowerment Center chairman. “Dr. Pamies’ career exemplifies a deep commitment to improving the health and lives of our community. We are honored to present him this award.”

Always on call Click here to see a blog detailing some heroics displayed by Dr. Pamies at The Gershom award ceremony.

Dr. Pamies said he was grateful to receive the award.

“We are a country of immigrants. Part of the American Dream is that if you get a good education and work hard, you have a good chance to succeed,” Dr. Pamies said. “My parents instilled those values in me at a young age. I have also been fortunate to have good mentors, who took an interest in helping me develop professionally. I am forever indebted to them as well. Those key aspects have allowed me to pursue the American Dream.”

The awards banquet officially opened the Gershom Empowerment Center. It is designed to assist immigrants in assimilating into the U.S. and Omaha communities by offering English as a Second Language classes, driving lessons, vocational training and other services.