The Ecuadorean National Assembly has bestowed its highest scientific award to Donald Silberberg, MD, professor emeritus and former Chair of Neurology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, for his efforts spanning two decades to raise awareness, enhance medical education and improve patient care for neurological and psychiatric conditions globally, and in Ecuador. This is the first time the Ecuadorean National Assembly has granted the Vicente Rocafuerte condecoration to an American.

"I am honored to receive this prestigious award, and am grateful that the Ecuadorean government, public health departments, medical schools and communities have become more aware of the range of neurological disorders that can be treated when recognized as a result of our collaborations," said Dr. Silberberg. "There is now greater awareness about ways to prevent and treat neurological conditions, including epilepsy, stroke, and psychiatric conditions and improved referral programs between rural outposts and district hospitals, which will help the people of Ecuador who suffer from the burden of neurological disease."

Brain disorders cause at least 25 percent of global death and disability. Dr. Silberberg has a longstanding dedication to improving neurological care in developing countries. He led efforts resulting in the 2001 Institute of Medicine report, Neurological, Psychiatric and Developmental Disorders — Meeting the Challenge in the Developing World, with support from the Global Forum for Health Research, NIH, and the CDC. This led to new NIH programs to support research on brain disorders in low and middle income countries. He also played a key role the U.S. project to build and staff a Children's Hospital in Basrah, Iraq. Opened in 2010, the Basrah Children's Hospital represents the first hospital constructed in Iraq since the 1980s.

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