The Herbert W. Nickens Minority Health and Representation in Medicine Award
Who Should be Nominated?
The Herbert W. Nickens Award recognizes exceptional commitment to cultural diversity in medicine. The award will honor an individual or representative of an organization who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to cultural diversity in medicine or to improving minority health.
What do I Need to Nominate?
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Nomination of an SGIM or ACLGIM member
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A current copy of the nominee's curriculum vitae
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A formal nomination letter, two single-spaced pages or less, enlarging upon the CV, and emphasizing the nominee's qualifications for the award
Background
The award is named in memory and honor of the late Dr. Herbert W. Nickens, former Director of the Office of Minority Health, Department of Health and Human Services and the first Vice President and Director of the American Association of Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) Division of Community and Minority Programs.
During his tenure at the AAMC, Dr. Nickens established groundbreaking programs designed to address the critical need for minority physicians and improvements in minority health status, including Project 3000 by 2000, launched in 1991 to dramatically increase the number of underrepresented minority students enrolling in U.S. medical schools, and the Minority Medical Education Project, created in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, to "jump start" the medical education of promising minority college students through no-cost summer enrichment programs at eight leading medical schools.
Dr. Nickens also substantially expanded several previously existing initiatives to increase the number and success of minority medical faculty. Numerous SGIM members have participated in and benefited from these programs, two of which include the Annual Minority Faculty Career Development Program and the Health Services Research Institute for Minority Medical Faculty.
This award is supported by contributions from the Hess Foundation.
2023 Herbert Nickens Award Winner
Ade Olomu, MD
