The award, given by the Albert Schweitzer World Academy of Medicine, honors Epstein for his "longstanding and pioneering international contributions to cancer prevention."
Epstein is a leading authority and champion of cancer prevention issues. His lifelong work focuses on preventing exposure to environmental carcinogens in air, water, food and the workplace by informing the public of avoidable risks and influencing governmental policies.
The Golden Grand Medal is awarded every other year to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service to humanity.
"I am just overwhelmed and honored to receive such an outstanding award," said Epstein, who also serves as chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition and is author of "Cancer-Gate: How to Win the Losing Cancer War."
The award will be presented to Epstein June 10 at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, Poland, during the International Symposium of the Polish Academy of Medicine.
The Albert Schweitzer World Academy of Medicine, established to promote Albert Schweitzer's philosophies of wisdom, humanity and peace, consists of 256 university professors in 71 countries.
UIC ranks among the nation's top 50 universities in federal research funding and is Chicago's largest university with 25,000 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, 15 colleges and the state's major public medical center. A hallmark of the campus is the Great Cities Commitment, through which UIC faculty, students and staff engage with community, corporate, foundation and government partners in hundreds of programs to improve the quality of life in metropolitan areas around the world. For more information about UIC, visit www.uic.edu