Herbert W. Nickens Award
Important update: The deadline and entry guidelines for submitting nominations for the Herbert W. Nickens Award have been updated. The new deadline is Jan. 23, 2026.
The Herbert W. Nickens Award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to promoting equal opportunity in medical education and access to quality health care in the United States. Dr. Herbert W. Nickens was the founding vice president of the AAMC Division of Community and Minority Programs. Dr. Nickens’ passionate leadership contributed greatly to focusing national attention on the need to support underserved populations in medicine.
The awardee will receive the Nickens Award and a $10,000 prize. The awardee will also present the Nickens Lecture at Learn Serve Lead 2026: The AAMC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California.
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 award.
Award Program Book
Download PDFAbout the Award
Selection Criteria
AAMC supports Dr. Nickens’ belief that a multidisciplinary approach is needed to address inequities in health. Nominees from a wide range of fields are encouraged, including medicine, dentistry, education, law, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and social and behavioral sciences. Nominees will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Exemplary contributions to promoting a culture of excellence in academic medicine, with a focus on promoting equal opportunity in the health professions.
- Evidence of accomplishment through an interprofessional approach and/or collaborative practice.
- Contributions have had a significant national impact on vulnerable and/or underrepresented populations, above and beyond one’s own institution.
- Demonstrates standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.
Guidelines for Entry
Anyone may submit a nomination. Nominations must be received by Jan. 23, 2026, via the electronic entry form (login required). Learn more about the fields required for nomination.
The review committee will select up to three finalists. Nominators of finalists will be notified by March 6, 2026. Only the three finalists will be invited to submit a letter of support. Letters of support must be submitted by April 3, 2026. There is no need to compile a letter of support before the notification on March 6.
The one nomination letter for the three finalists should explain the nominee's qualifications for the award by:
- Highlighting specific work in the United States to promote equal opportunity in the health professions and access to quality health care.
- Including at least two brief testimonials interwoven into the letter that support their contributions to promoting equal opportunity in the health professions and access to quality health care.
Note: The letter must be doubled-spaced, have one-inch margins, and be written in Times New Roman 12-point font, and must not exceed six pages.
The committee will not review additional materials.
The recipient of the award will be notified by July 31, 2026.
Please address all questions to:
Krystle McCloney
202-448-6622
NickensAwards@aamc.org
Recipients of the Herbert W. Nickens Award
The Herbert W. Nickens Award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to promoting equal opportunity in medical education and access to quality health care in the United States.
Nickens Award recipients come from a wide range of fields including medicine, dentistry, education, law, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and social and behavioral sciences.
Louis W. Sullivan, MD, is the 2024 Herbert W. Nickens Award recipient.