THE HERZFELD PRIZE 2024
The Edinburgh Jewish Cultural Centre and The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh proudly honour the memory and achievements of the pioneering surgeon who was the second female fellow and the first female practising fellow of the College, Dr. Gertrude Herzfeld (1890-1981). Dr. Herzfeld was one of the first female surgeons to work in Scotland and was a pioneering Jewish female paediatric surgeon in Edinburgh.
The Herzfeld Prize is presented biennially to a living outstanding Jewish woman, from any country, who has excelled in surgery, medicine, public health, or the sciences as related to these fields and whose life and career emulates the lifetime values, hard work and success of Dr. Gertrude Herzfeld. This woman should emulate the leadership, audaciousness, commitment, and drive that Dr. Gertrude Herzfeld conveyed. The prize will next be awarded in 2026. To donate towards the award click here or complete the Contact form at the bottom of the page to nominate an honouree.
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HIV/AIDs Research Pioneer Dr. Mardge Cohen Receives the 2024 Gertrude Herzfeld Prize for Health
Presented by the Edinburgh Jewish Cultural Centre and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
On 3 March 2024 at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Dr. Mardge Cohen, a prominent figure in HIV advocacy and women's health for over 45 years who serves as the Medical Director of Women Equity in AIDS Care and Treatment Rwanda (WE-ACT×) and practises at Boston Health Care for the Homeless, received the Third Biennial Herzfeld Prize. The award was presented by the official representative of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Kirsty Mozolowski; the Head of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, Professor David Argyle; Chair of EJCC, Janet Mundy; the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, the Right Honourable Robert Aldridge, and his Consort, Dr. Colin Cunningham; and Chair of the Herzfeld Prize 2024, Hannah Handelman.
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The Herzfeld Prize is named in honour of Dr. Gertrude Herzfeld who was the first practising female surgeon in Scotland and a pioneering female Jewish paediatric surgeon.
The Herzfeld Prize Committee is most grateful to all of the supporters whose generosity has enabled us to honour an outstanding Jewish woman in health care: Dr David Argyle, Balmoral Hotel, Dr David Connan, Jan Cutting, Edinburgh Jewish Cultural Centre, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Professor Joe Goldblatt, Kate Goodwin, Dr David Grant, Hannah Handelman, Sarah Hutton, Dr Hynda Kleinman, Dr David Kluth, Adam and Keyeong Leven, Mike Leven, Harriet Lyall, Stephanie Mitchell, N. Dann Moss, Mariette Naud-Betteridge, Pace Print Edinburgh Ltd, Leon Pomerance, Hendersons Restaurant, Rachel Pomerance Berl, Mitch Pomerance, Jewish Renaissance Magazine, The Jewish Telegraph, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Hannah Schlesinger Brodie, Dr Arindam Sinha, Dr Eric Straka and Ten Hill Place Hotel
Thank you to Lesley Martin for the photographs and to Sabine Carter of Creation Editor for the video.
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EJCC Committee Members L to R: Phil Alexander, Ella Lambert, Dr. Mardge Cohen, Adrian Harris, Janet Mundy
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Hannah Handelman, Chair of the Herzfeld Prize, presenting the Herzfeld Prize quaich to Dr. Mardge Cohen.
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L to R: Chair of EJCC, Janet Mundy; Consort Lord Provost, Dr. Colin Cunningham; Lord Provost, the Right Honourable Robert Aldridge; Hannah Handelman; Dr. Mardge Cohen
Dr. Mardge Cohen and her husband Dr. Gordon Schiff with the portrait of Dr. Gertrude Herzfeld
Herzfeld Prize ceremony guests dance the Jewish Hora to celebrate prize giving to Dr. Mardge Cohen