IU Health vascular surgeon, Duangnapa Cuddy, DO, recipient of American College of Surgeons Humanitarian Award

IU Health is proud to announce IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians vascular surgeon Duangnapa Cuddy, DO, as the 2022 American College of Surgeons (ACOS) Humanitarian Award recipient.

“I’m so humbled that my work was recognized. It motivates and encourages me to continue to do my work,” said Dr. Cuddy.

Born and raised in Thailand to a family of farmers, Dr. Cuddy spoke about how healthcare wasn’t an option for many individuals due to a lack of access and funds. When she had the opportunity to move to the United States, she was able to go to school and become a doctor.

Her first experience in humanitarian work was during her clinical training, when she volunteered to help in rural community medicine in Arkansas and Virginia.

Dr. Cuddy said:

“I realized that even though the US is a first-world country, medicine still has large distribution discrepancies. I did not realize that before. We didn’t learn that in medical school. So, once I did know the reality, it was implanted into my mind. It became a mission of mine that when I grew up, I wanted to bring this knowledge to help people in the rural area of the US as well.”

She has also volunteered in rural areas in Colorado, Minnesota, Florida, West Virginia, and Indiana. Globally, her medical and surgical mission work has brought her to Cambodia, Nigeria, and Mexico.

When speaking about her first international humanitarian mission in Cambodia, Dr. Cuddy said:

“When I was there, it was the first time I completely detached from all self-concerns and fully dedicated myself to other people. To experience that kind of feeling and the reciprocal kindness and appreciation from the patients—it was beyond what I was expecting. It was divine, enlightening, and transcendent. Whenever I have some difficulty in life, I always go back to that moment.”

Dr. Cuddy encouraged others to contribute through humanitarian work as well. She explained that each time you help, you’re contributing to and building towards something significant.

She concluded, “Eventually, the world will be a better place.”

Dr. Cuddy will accept the humanitarian award at the ACOS Ceremonial Conclave held during the 2022 Annual Clinical Assembly of Osteopathic Surgeons on Friday, Sept. 16.