The West Indian Foundation praised Dr. Cato T, Laurencin for his longstanding activities, “Your unwavering dedication and commitment have played a significant role in advancing our mission and strengthening our community. Your generosity and consistent support have been a cornerstone of our ability to serve the community. Whenever the West Indian Foundation has faced challenges, you have always stepped forward, ensuring that we can continue our important work. Your selflessness and commitment have made a profound impact, allowing us to grow and extend our reach.”
Samuel J. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D., the nephew of Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, accepted the award on Dr. Laurencin’s behalf. Dr. Samuel Laurencin is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who trained at UConn.
Dr. Cato T. Laurencin has a strong connection to the West Indian community as his father was born in St. Lucia. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the West Indian Foundation in 2015. In 2025, Sir Cato T. Laurencin received Knighthood under the auspices of King Charles III of England through the Governor-General of St. Lucia.
The mission of the West Indian Foundation Inc. is to foster and strengthen a sense of unity within the West Indian community through strategic partnerships in the areas of health, education, business, and culture. The Foundation is dedicated to preserving the identity, history, and unique cultural heritage of the West Indian community while continuing to educate the community at large in these traditions.
At UConn Laurencin is the University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is chief executive officer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named in his honor at the University of Connecticut.
Laurencin is an expert in public health, especially as it pertains to racial and ethnic health and health disparities. Academically, he completed the Program in African American Studies at Princeton University. He is a core professor of Africana Studies at UConn and is the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, published by Springer/Nature, the leading journal in the field. He has served as the chair of the National Academy of Sciences Roundtable on Black Men and Black Women in Science, Engineering, and Medicine. Laurencin co-founded the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, dedicated to addressing racial health disparities, and served as its founding chair of the board. The W. Montague Cobb/NMA Institute and the National Medical Association created the Cato T. Laurencin Lifetime Research Achievement Award which is bestowed at the opening ceremonies of the National Medical Association’s annual meeting. Laurencin is the recipient of the Spingarn Medal, the highest honor of the NAACP. The medal is presented for the “highest or noblest achievement by a living African American during the preceding year or years in any honorable field.”
Laurencin received the 2014 Greater Hartford Torch of Liberty Award from the Anti-Defamation League in recognition of his commitment to social justice and public service. He received the Community Service Award from the Urban League of Greater Hartford. He has been honored by the Hartford Public School System and the Connecticut State Legislature for his work in the community and has been recognized as a Connecticut Health Care Hero by Connecticut Magazine.
