David Calkins Award in Health Policy Advocacy

Next Application Opens Fall 2027

Who Should Be Nominated
The Calkins Award recognizes an SGIM individual who has devoted many years of continued commitment to health policy advocacy or has had a good year, achieving a major triumph regarding an SGIM advocacy issue. A government employee would be eligible if they have demonstrated commitment to policy issues important to SGIM members.

Background
This award recognizes the extraordinary commitment that many members make when they choose to advocate on behalf of SGIM. It is named for the late David R. Calkins, MD, because of his tireless advocacy on behalf of SGIM on health policy issues since its inception as SREPCIM in 1978.

Working with SGIM to advocate for policy changes to enable better health for all has been a deeply meaningful part of my career for the past decade, and I am so honored to receive the David R. Calkins Award. Fighting for policy changes, and fighting for advocacy to be recognized in academic internal medicine can both sometimes feel like very uphill battles. This award has provided me a moment of calm to reflect on my journey to date, as well as a spotlight to shine as a call to action for the work still to come.
Anders Chen, MD, MHS