Project HOPE, the global health education and humanitarian assistance organization, today announced the recipients of the Project HOPE Global Health Awards, which recognize those who’ve made contributions toward improving health worldwide.

This year’s gala will highlight Project HOPE’s HealthWorks program, which provides health services and education to women working in textile factories in Asia, and the organization’s relief work in Nepal following the two earthquakes that devastated the country in April and May.

The honorees are:

• The Project HOPE Global Health Leadership Award — Kenneth Frazier, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Merck
• Project HOPE Global Health Partner Award — Victor Dzau, M.D., President of the Institute of Medicine and Chancellor Emeritus and James B. Duke Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine

Through Frazier’s leadership, Merck has helped Project HOPE respond to humanitarian crises such as Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines and the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone with donations, vaccines and medicines.

As president of the Institute of Medicine and past president and CEO of the Duke University Health System, Dr. Dzau has been a driving force behind the creation of the Duke Global Health Institute and the Duke Institute for Health Innovation. He has also conducted seminal research in cardiovascular medicine and genetics.

“Project HOPE would not be able to do what we do without champions for global health like Ken and Victor,” said Richard T. Clark, executive chairman of Project HOPE in a prepared statement. “We are most grateful for their support as we work together to eliminate disparities in the quality and availability of health care throughout the world.”

Founded in 1958, Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) now conducts land-based medical training and health education in more than 30 countries.

This year’s awards will be presented at the organization’s eighth annual gala tonight at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.