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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

Download pdf

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

2025 - Chase Thaddeus Maceo Anderson, MD, MS
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Medical Director, The Muses Program for Minoritized Youth
University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Dr. Anderson’s journey began in Woodland Hills, California, where his early fascination with science, fantasy, and discovery set the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and advocacy. After moving to Kenmore, Washington, his experiences with discrimination as a Black, queer youth shaped his commitment to uplifting marginalized communities. He went on to study chemistry at MIT, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees before pursuing medicine at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, where he found his calling in psychiatry. His work at Massachusetts General Hospital and UCSF focused on creating inclusive spaces and addressing mental health disparities, leading to numerous publications and speaking engagements nationwide. Now a faculty member at UCSF, Dr. Anderson, founded The Muses Program for Minoritized Youth, empowering young people to embrace their identities as strengths. Honored with multiple awards for leadership and service, he dedicates his work to the mentors, community, and loved ones who have guided and sustained him.

Past Recipients