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Dr. Walid Gellad Receives Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

On July 25th, 2019, Dr. Walid Gellad, MD, MPH, accepted his Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) in Washington, DC.

The PECASE is the highest honor bestowed to “outstanding scientists and engineers who are beginning their independent research careers and who show exceptional promise for leadership in science and technology.” It is awarded by the U.S. government and is coordinated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

“It’s really an honor to receive this on behalf of my work with the VA,” Dr. Gellad said. “It’s important that this award recognizes not just VA work, but community service and scientific leadership as well.”

 

The PECASE was established in 1996. According to a statement from the White House, its purpose is to recognize “the contributions scientists and engineers have made to the advancement of science, technology, education, and mathematics (STEM) education and to community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education, and community outreach.”

There hasn’t been a class of PECASE winners since 2014, so this year’s class represents three years of awardees who completed awards for the 2015, 2016, and 2017 classes.

Dr. Gellad is one of nine winners from Pennsylvania, and one of just four winners from the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is the sole award winner representing the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, whose head of research submitted his nomination for this award.

When asked to describe his work for the VA Pittsburgh Health System for which he was recognized, Dr. Gellad noted that “in general, my work there is centered on ensuring safe and effective prescription drug use for veterans, and especially those who use both Medicare and VA health services.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs released the following statement in response to Dr. Gellad’s selection for the PECASE: “[Dr.] Gellad is a nationally recognized expert in the area of medication management and policy. The award acknowledges his work to facilitate safer opioid prescribing. Much of his research has focused on high-risk Veterans who receive opioid drugs both through VA and Medicare. Gellad is also leading an assessment of the rollout of an opioid risk management tool throughout VA.”

 “The PECASE is a more holistic award in that it acknowledges other important work done outside the VA health system,” Dr. Gellad explained. In particular, his work studying machine learning with the Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing here at Pitt was influential in his selection for the PECASE.

 

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy hosted a reception for this year’s winners in the Daughter of the American Revolution Constitution Hall, where representatives from participating agencies spoke and congratulated awardees on their achievement.

We here at the CRHC also congratulate Dr. Gellad on his receipt of the PECASE, as well as the body of excellent work he’s put forth with both the VA Pittsburgh Health System and the Division of General Internal Medicine. Outstanding work, Dr. Gellad!