David Brinker, MD

Nominated by John T. Walters

Dr. David Brinker was born March 9, 1937, graduated from the University of Cincinnati in June 1966. He moved to Oklahoma in 1966 and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Doctor of Ophthalmology and has lived in Oklahoma for over 50 years. He is one of the 2016 winners of the Oklahoma Human Rights Award.

David Brinker, MD

Brinker volunteered for an unpaid 3 months tour with the US State Department, in 1979, in Vietnam working as a civilian eye surgeon. He sponsored a family of Vietnamese to come to Oklahoma City after the fall of Vietnam.

He went on a yearly 2-week medical eye mission for over 25 years to 8 different countries -- providing free medicine, glasses and eye surgery. The countries were:

Dominican Republic, 4 missions;
Nicaragua, 6 missions;
Ecuador, 4 missions;
Mexico, 2 missions; and
El Salvador, 7 missions.

In 2003, Dr. Brinker went on a 2-week mission to build a church in a poor area of Cape Town, South Africa.

He organizes a yearly Sailing / fishing / dinner event for the Baptist Children's Home.

He has been a member of Rotary International for 22 years; Amnesty International for 5 years, NAACP for 2 years, and the Sierra Club for 50 years.

He has received commendations from the following: U.S. State Dept. for volunteer service in Vietnam, AMA Certificate of Humanitarian Service, Ophthalmological Society of Nicaragua, Government of Nicaragua, DIF of the Mexican Government, Foundation for the health of women in El Salvador, FUDUM, Latino Community Development Center (2 awards), Oklahoma City Peace House Human Rights Award, Skyline Urban Ministry (2 Awards), Governors' Commendation for practicing medicine for 50 years.

He saw patients for free for many years from the following agencies: Little Flowers Clinic, Latino Community Development Center, Skyline Urban Ministry.

You're invited to attend the presentation of the 2016 Human Rights Awards on Saturday, December 10th, in the House Chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. The program will begin at 10am. It will be emcee'd by former State Representative Seneca Scott. There is no charge to attend. Following the awards program, you are invited to enjoy a Free Speech Forum in the Senate Assembly Room from 12 Noon to 2pm.

Every year, the Oklahoma Human Rights Awards are co-sponsored by the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association and the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance.

Previous winners of the award include educators, physicians, students, and community volunteers from many different communities and all walks of life. They are united by their enduring commitment to the values and principles expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information about the awards program, please contact Wilfredo Santosrivera, 405-631-3027.