Richard G. MacKenzie, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and an attending physician in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, has received the State of Mongolia Friendship Medal. The award is the highest given by the Mongolian government to a non-Mongolian to recognize outstanding contributions to Mongolia and its people.

Two other physicians Keck School professors – Stuart E. Siegel, professor and vice chair of pediatrics, and Lawrence Ross, professor of pediatrics – received the Silk Road Award presented by the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in recognition of outstanding contributions to the development of health care in Mongolia.

MacKenzie received the Friendship Medal from Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar at the Presidential Offices in Ulan Batar, Mongolia’s capital city.

The State of Mongolia Friendship Medal is the highest award given by the Mongolian government to a non-Mongolian to recognize outstanding contributions to Mongolia and its people.

MacKenzie, who was accompanied at the ceremonies by the Honorary Consul General for California, Grace Roberts, serves as medical director of the Ulan Bator Foundation, a nonprofit based in Venice, Calif. He was also a team leader for the California-Mongolia Medical Program, a collaboration between Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the Ulan Bator Foundation.

Since 1995 MacKenzie has led a team of physicians and surgeons from Childrens Hospital to Mongolia to share knowledge and demonstrate modern Western medical techniques to their Mongolian counterparts at their children’s hospital and at the medical school.

“I am truly honored to receive this award, not only for my leadership, but on behalf of all of those who have helped the children and adolescents of Mongolia, both directly through clinical care, and indirectly through knowledge transfer,” he said.

Fifty percent of the population of Mongolia is under the age of 21, according to MacKenzie. And despite its nomadic traditions, Mongolia has a literacy rate of 98 percent—one of the highest in the world.

“Truly, the future and success of this country lies with its children and youth,” said MacKenzie. “The work and commitment of our team is an investment in Mongolia’s future. This unexpected honor, usually reserved for presidents and ambassadors, recognizes the concern that we have here at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, as an international leader in pediatrics, for children and adolescents around the world.”