Past recipients of the John Scott Medal, awarded by the city of Philadelphia, are some of the greatest minds in history — Marie Curie, Thomas Edison, the Wright brothers, Jonas Salk and Guglielmo Marconi. Now the MGH’s very own Joseph P. Vacanti, MD, chief of Pediatric Surgery at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children, (left) can be counted among their ranks. Vacanti has been named one of two recipients of the 2007 medal, which has been presented annually since 1834 to men and women whose inventions have contributed to the comfort, welfare and happiness of mankind. He will formally receive the award at a ceremony in November.

A pioneer in the field of tissue engineering, Vacanti was selected for the honor in recognition of his contributions in designing implantable systems that stimulate the generation of new tissue and organs, which can be used in patients for reconstructive surgery and transplantation.