David Hugelmeyer, Class of 1974, was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the recent All-Class Reunion on June 5th, 2026 in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to medicine, education, and international service.

 

The Distinguished Alumni Award honors former students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their professional field and/or made a meaningful impact in their community while exemplifying ASH's mission to build a better world. Throughout a career spanning more than four decades and multiple continents, Dr. Hugelmeyer has embodied those ideals through his leadership in Emergency Medicine, commitment to education, and dedication to improving healthcare around the world.

 

David attended American School of The Hague—then known as the Hague International School (HIS)—from 1968 through 1973, completing grades eight through eleven. After earning his bachelor's degree and Doctor of Medicine, he completed residency training in Family Practice and Emergency Medicine before embarking on an international career as a physician, educator, and clinical leader. His work has taken him across the United States, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Netherlands, where he has held faculty appointments and senior leadership positions at respected academic and medical institutions.

 

Among his many accomplishments, David returned to the Netherlands to become the first Director of Emergency Medicine and Residency Training at Albert Schweitzer Ziekenhuis. There, he helped establish one of the country's earliest Emergency Medicine residency programs, mentoring physicians whose leadership continues to influence emergency care throughout the Netherlands today.

 

His commitment to education has matched his dedication to patient care. Throughout his career, he has trained and inspired generations of medical students, residents, and physicians while helping advance Emergency Medicine as a recognized specialty in multiple healthcare systems. ASH also shaped the most important relationship of his life. While attending school in The Hague, David met fellow student Laura Potthoff, who would later become his wife. Together they have shared more than five decades of marriage while building an international life centered on service, family, and education. Inspired by their own experiences at ASH, they ensured that each of their three children also received an international education, reflecting their belief in the transformative power of global learning.

 

Today, David continues to practice Emergency Medicine while beginning the transition toward a less demanding phase of his medical career. Looking back, he measures success not by wealth but by the experiences, relationships, and opportunities that have defined his life's journey. Having lived and worked across continents while serving patients from countless cultures,

 

David has demonstrated how compassion, curiosity, and global citizenship can create meaningful and lasting impact. His distinguished career and lifelong commitment to serving others make him a deserving recipient of American School of The Hague's Distinguished Alumni Award.