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Herbert W. Nickens Faculty Fellowship

Nominations for this award will open Jan. 5, 2026. 

This award recognizes an outstanding assistant-level faculty member who demonstrates leadership potential in their efforts to promote equal opportunity in medical education and access to quality health care; demonstrates efforts in addressing educational, societal, and health care needs of underserved populations in the United States; and is committed to a career in academic medicine.

The recipient receives a $25,000 grant to support a project performed in the United States focused on underserved populations. Recipients are required to accept the award at Learn Serve Lead 2025: The AAMC Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX.

Funding for the fellowship begins in November of the year the fellowship is awarded and must be used for direct costs. The recipient will be required to submit a final narrative and financial report by November 2027.

A medical school may nominate one current faculty member per year for this award. A candidate must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Hold the rank of full-time assistant professor in an LCME-accredited U.S. medical school department.
  • Have held the assistant professor position appointment beginning no earlier than July 1, 2022.
  • Have received only one appointment as assistant professor.
  • Hold an MD or PhD, or have earned another doctoral degree.

Learn about Dr. Herbert W. Nickens’ contributions to academic medicine in Reflections on Diversity and Inclusion in Academic Medicine commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Nickens Awards.

Award Program Book

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Herbert W. Nickens Faculty Fellowship

Your nomination packet must include the following:

  1. A nomination letter from the medical school’s dean or the dean’s designee (please state if dean’s designee) discussing the nominee’s:
    • Demonstrated efforts in addressing educational, societal, and health care needs of underserved populations in the United States.
    • Potential for leadership in addressing equal opportunity in medical education and access to quality health care.
    • Strong promise for a career in academic medicine.
  2. A letter of recommendation from the nominee’s department or section chair.
  3. A letter of recommendation from an individual of the nominee’s choosing.
  4. A personal statement from the nominee discussing their motivations and objectives for a career in academic medicine and for achieving equal access to care for underserved populations (not to exceed two double-spaced pages).
  5. A project description that includes the nominee’s project overview, aims, and methods that are clear and feasible within the project timeline (not to exceed two pages). Please use this template provided (PDF).
  6. The nominee’s project goals and anticipated outcomes that align with the Award goals to advance equal access to care for underserved populations in the United States (not to exceed two pages). Please use this template provided (PDF).
  7. An itemized one-page budget with specific details on how the fellowship funds will be used. Include description of any supplemental resources that may support this project (e.g., other funding, protected time, etc.).
  8. A current curriculum vitae (CV) for the nominee, which clearly indicates exact date of appointment and current contact information.

All letters and personal statements should be double-spaced, have one-inch margins, and be written in Times New Roman 12-point font.

Please address all questions to:
Angela Moses
202-862-6203
NickensAwards@aamc.org

2024 - Dr. April Edwell is the 2024 Herbert W. Nickens Faculty Fellowship recipient. Dr. Edwell has built a distinguished career at the intersection of medicine and education. With a foundation rooted in her family’s values of hard work and kindness, she pursued her passion for science and helping others. A graduate of Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Dr. Edwell completed her residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, later furthering her expertise in Pediatric Critical Care at UCSF.

In addition to her medical training, Dr. Edwell earned a Master of Arts in Education from UC Berkeley, where her impactful thesis focused on the experiences of Black Pediatric Intensivists. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Adjunct Professor at UCSF and holds leadership roles aimed at promoting equal opportunity in medical education. Recognized with multiple awards for her contributions to teaching and equal access to care, Dr. Edwell remains a dedicated advocate, inspiring the next generation of medical professionals while addressing disparities in health care.

Past Recipients