FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FBI TO PRESENT DIRECTOR'S COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD TO DR. DAVID G. JACOBS, MD, FACS

Charlotte, NC - On Thursday, January 3, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Nathan T. Gray of the Charlotte Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will present the Director's Community Leadership Award for 2007 to Dr. David G. Jacobs, MD, FACS. The award ceremony will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Carolinas Medical Center in The Tower dining room, which is located adjacent to The Market cafeteria on level 3 of Carolinas Medical Center - Rush S. Dickson Tower.

This special award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America. Each year, the SAC of each of the FBI's 56 Field Offices selects an organization or individual who has contributed greatly to crime, terrorism, drug, and/or violence prevention/education in their community.

This year's recipient, Dr. David G. Jacobs, is a Trauma Surgeon at the F. H. "Sammy" Ross, Jr., Trauma Center at Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Jacobs joined the faculty of the Ross Trauma Center in 1995 and currently serves as the Associate Medical Director. The FBI is honoring Dr. Jacobs for his contributions in violence prevention/education.

Dr. Jacobs created a Violence Prevention Committee at CMC in 1995 and has been Chairman of the Violence Prevention Committee since its inception. The CMC Violence Prevention Committee meets monthly with a primary focus on the prevention of youth violence. Under Dr. Jacobs' leadership, the CMC Violence Prevention Committee collaborates with numerous community agencies (Gang of One, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, and Right Moves for Youth) and local youth advocates to provide activities related to youth violence prevention both in the community and on the hospital campus at CMC.

Dr. Jacobs also designed and conducts a school-based violence prevention program: "The Real Truth About Violence." Delivered in area middle and high schools, the program educates students regarding the true medical, social, and financial consequences of violent behavior. Since starting the program, Dr. Jacobs has spoken to more than 850 students from a variety of Charlotte Mecklenburg middle and high schools.

Dr. Jacobs has spearheaded and hosted two major conferences related to youth violence prevention and was instrumental in bringing the Asking Saves Kids (ASK) Campaign, a child safety campaign that focuses on unintentional gun violence, to the Charlotte community.

Dr. Jacobs has delivered numerous television and radio interviews regarding the impact of violence on youth and gun safety. Dr. Jacobs also serves in leadership roles in a variety of community organizations, including 100 Black Men and Mothers of Murdered Offspring.

Members of the media are invited to attend the award presentation. However, media attendees are requested to contact Special Agent (SA) Newsom Summerlin, FBI Media Representative, at telephone number 704-331-4565 in advance of the ceremony. It is also requested that media attendees contact CMC Public Information at 704-355-3141 for parking instructions.