Belonging and Community Engagement

Nominations are now being accepted for the Internal Medicine Advocacy Award. The nomination period is open now until July 15.

Nominees for this award should exemplify excellence in advocacy that serves the public good. These individuals inspire others through their active efforts to improve clinical care, public health, education and/or research. Ideal candidates are those who demonstrate outstanding dedication to improving health and well-being through advocacy. This award honors those who take initiative, lead meaningful efforts, and create lasting, positive change in healthcare and the community. The award recognizes advocacy carried out at the campus, local, state, national or international level.

This award recognizes individuals whose leadership, creativity and sustained commitment have made a measurable impact on healthcare and the broader community.

Self-nominations are accepted; however, a letter of support/nomination from a colleague will still be required. Nominees will be contacted for their CV and a 300-word summary of their advocacy efforts and outcomes. 

1. Internal medicine faculty member
2. Internal medicine Resident/Fellow/Post-doctoral fellow
3. Internal medicine non-faculty clinical employee (e.g. APPs, pharmacists, nurses)
4. Internal medicine non-clinical staff (e.g. office assistants, research coordinators and various administrative personnel)

• Impact on Community or Population Health
  • Addressing social determinants of health
  • Improving or expanding access to care
  • Examples: establishing community partnerships, volunteering at free clinics or community events, coordinating rural outreach events, integrating screening tools into the EMR

• Leadership in Advocacy
  • Health policy advocacy
  • Public communication
  • Combating misinformation
  • Examples: testifying before legislature on healthcare policy, serving on local boards or a professional society that addresses health policy, advocating in the public sphere

• Commitment to Reducing Health Disparities
  • Advocating for culturally competent care
  • Reducing health disparities as quality improvement
  • Research advocacy
  • Examples: creating bias-reduction education programs, leading QI projects that reduce health disparities, advocating for research funding on underrepresented groups

• Academic Advocacy
  • Advocating for inclusive curriculum
  • Improving work conditions for healthcare workers
  • Examples: developing or assisting in the creation of new curriculum (topics such as climate-related health impacts, rural health disparities, etc.), advocating for mental health resources for healthcare workers, creating/participating in mentorship programs to support underrepresented medical students and professionals

Please submit a letter of nomination to the Advocacy Award Selection Committee via Stacy Rafferty.

Nominations will be reviewed and a winner selected by a five-volunteer panel. The award recognizes extraordinary, persistent efforts and may not necessarily be given every year. Nominees from prior years will be reconsidered for up to three years after the initial nomination but may require updated materials when requested. Prior nominations will roll over into the current cycle.

The awards will be presented in person at the Belonging and Community Engagement Grand Rounds on September 4.

If you have questions, contact Chelsea Navarrette, MD, Associate Vice Chair for Belonging and Community Engagement.

• 2025 Nada Fadul
• 2024 Leslie Eiland
• 2023 Marcus Snow
• 2022 The Infectious Diseases Division

• 2025 Chydubem Nwaiwu
• 2025 Debra Wekesa
• 2023 Natasha Gallett

• 2025 No nominations

• 2025 Samantha Jones