ABIA’s Douglas Honored for Entrepreneurial and Humanitarian Spirit

Dr. Frank L. Douglas, Austen BioInnovation Institute’s President and CEO, recently was celebrated by three distinct organizations for the contributions he has made to scientific research, entrepreneurial efforts and his fellow man.

A native of Guyana, Douglas received the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies Caribbean’s Luminary Award, which praises individuals linked to the Caribbean for the exceptional contributions they have made to the world around them. Previous distinguished global citizens recognized have included Maya Angelou, Colin Powell and Sidney Poitier. This year’s gala was held in New York City.

A few weeks later, the Sales and Marketing Executive International’s Akron-Canton Chapter honored Douglas by naming him its 2013 Executive of the Year for the contributions he has made to fuel entrepreneurship and his propensity to inspire those around him. The annual award was created as tribute to talented executives for their achievement in elevating the region’s business community.

In March, Douglas was honored with the Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award, presented by the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church of Akron, for his contributions to medicine. The annual award, named in tribute to former Akron Municipal Court Judge Harold Stubbs, recognizes those who have made contributions in social action, government, business, medicine and law.

Douglas has committed his career to the advancement of health, research and entrepreneurship. After decades of contribution to the pharmaceutical industry, Douglas founded and served as the first executive director of the MIT Center of Biomedical Innovation, which brought together scientists, engineers, policy experts, biopharmaceutical industry and government representatives to evolve ways to improve innovation and productivity in drug discovery and development. At ABIA, he leads an unmatched public-private-philanthropic collaboration focused on commercialization of patient-centered biomaterial and medical applications, enhanced care through the use of medical simulation, and improvement of community health that drives transformative economic and health benefits for Northeast Ohio.