Melinda Gates honorary doctor at Karolinska Institutet
Melinda Gates of the Gates Foundation today had her honorary doctorate at Karolinska Institutet formally conferred. At a ceremony in Nobel Forum, Stockholm, she received her hat, diploma and ring from the Dean of Research as testimony to her status
In 2007, Bill and Melinda Gates were appointed honorary doctors of medicine in recognition of their support for scientific work on global health issues at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The award recognizes the couple's active and long-term contribution to improving human health where the need is greatest, achieved through their work with partners worldwide. Melinda Gates visited the Karolinska Institutet today where she received her honorary doctorate and co-hosted a Global Health talk with Professor Hans Rosling. Bill Gates' honorary doctorate was conferred in 2008.
"I am very pleased that Melinda Gates has accepted the honorary doctorate at Karolinska Institutet. She and her husband Bill Gates are setting a great example of modern philanthropy. Their professional organization and their dedicated and systematic work with global health issues is very impressive." said Harriet Wallberg-Henriksson, president of Karolinska Institutet and member of the Nobel Assembly.
"I am deeply honored to receive this degree from an institution whose work and insights Bill and I hold in such high regard," said Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "Together, we are changing millions of lives and I find it inspiring and energizing to witness firsthand the Karolinska Institutet's ability, knowledge, and resources to help people around the world live a better life."
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, Bill and Melinda Gates created the foundation to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, the foundation focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people-especially those with the fewest resources-have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life.