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Alumni Humanitarian Award

The Alumni Humanitarian Award, established in 2001, is bestowed upon alumni of the University of Illinois by the Alumni Association, on behalf of the University of Illinois. It is presented to those alumni who, through their outstanding involvement and dedication, have made a significant contribution of volunteer leadership or service which has improved or enriched the lives of others and the welfare of humanity, and whose accomplishments reflect admirably on or bring honor to their Alma Mater.

2011 Recipient

Richard J. Cahill, dds ’65
Pediatric Dentist

Inspired by reports of visions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Richard J. Cahill traveled to the region and was dismayed to see the conditions of the people living there. After civil war compounded the situation, Cahill resolved to bring medical and dental care to the people of the area.

For more than 20 years, the pediatric dentist has been leading groups of volunteers on humanitarian missions to Medjugorje and the surrounding region. He founded Care for Children, a nonprofit organization that helps raise money for the trips. The group has built a clinic and helped furnish equipment to numerous clinics in the area.