On Wednesday, April 3, the 2013 International Awards Ceremony was held where Colleen A. Hammond Won the Award for Special Recognition for Promoting International Understanding.

In Africa the journey toward improved health care is long and difficult. The problems begin early in life with high infant mortality rates and continue throughout life, with risks of life-threatening diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The lack of diagnostic equipment compounds the challenge. However, in 2008 that all changed in Malawi with the donation of an MRI from GE Healthcare and the exceptional service of Colleen Hammond, a chief MRI technologist at MSU.

Colleen is the “sparkplug” behind the MRI facility in Malawi, acting on the to-do-list following weekly teleconferences. It is her dedication that makes everything run more smoothly, even across multiple time zones. 

She works effectively in the Malawi facility and with the GE Healthcare executives. Her colleagues describe this skill as a personal quality or “magic” that only Colleen possesses. She has a unique ability to see gaps in service and then takes the initiative to address issues before they arise. Now Colleen is using that same brand of magic to support a new MSU research project using MRI data in Zambia.

Additionally, Colleen is highly respected by the team for her technical knowledge and personal commitment. Malawi and malaria are not the sole focus of Colleen’s effort. She leads the MRI technologists in MSU’s very busy department as a single mom of three while also finding time to give to her community and church.

Colleen’s skill set is a perfect match for MSU’s high-profile malaria project. The team is making giant strides in understanding the disease and is close to developing new treatments thanks in large part to Colleen’s behind-the-scenes persistence.

For someone who completely embodies the “Spartan Will” approach we are pleased to present Colleen Hammond with International Studies and Programs’ Special Recognition Award for Promoting International Understanding.