Section on Early Career Physicians Awards

The AAP Section on Early Career Physicians (SOECP) excited to open the nomination forms for our awards and showcase the incredible work of our members.

Advancement in Research Award

This award is presented to an early career physician or entity (work team, institution, AAP group, chapter, etc.) who demonstrates excellence in one or more of the following:

• Influential investigator in a unique research initiative that has a significant impact on child health or physician wellness
• Contribution to the advancement of medical research through ongoing active engagement with high quality studies and reviews with a direct impact on the practice of pediatric medicine
• Lead the execution of a research initiative that may serve as a pathway to health equity

Excellence in Education Award

This award is presented to an early career physician or entity (institution, work team, AAP group, chapter, or other) who does several of the following:

• Demonstrates unique educational initiative to advance medical knowledge in the academic center or community level
• Shows personal expertise as an educator and mentor
• Recognized as an outstanding teacher in a clinical setting to medical students, residents and or other health professionals
• Champions equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives that support the education of underserved communities and/or those who are underrepresented in medicine

Leadership in Advocacy Award 

This award is presented to an early career physician or entity (chapter or AAP group) that has empowered early career physicians to accomplish one or more of the following:

• Implement an initiative or project that brought about a positive impact on children’s health and/or physician wellness in a practice, institution, community, or public policy
• Demonstrate a consistent commitment to child health and/or physician wellness advocacy in their practice, institution, and community through regular engagement with local, state, or national policymakers, community partnerships, their local AAP chapter, and/or local institutions
• Lead the execution of an advocacy initiative that may serve as a pathway to health equity

To submit a nomination: Visit the SOECP members-only site for the links to the nomination forms and learn more (AAP login and SOECP membership required).

Deadline: April 30, 2023

Details: Nominations and self-nominations are welcome. One individual person or entity is awarded each of the above awards each year. The award recipient will be honored during the 2023 SOECP Networking and Awards Reception. The award provides full general registration for the 2023 AAP National Conference and Exhibition and a $1,000 honorarium.

Eligibility: Nominees are not required to be members of the Section on Early Career Physicians; however, preference is given to Section members. View the application details at the links above for further eligibility requirements.

In alignment with the AAP Equity Agenda, the SOECP is committed to celebrating the work of members from groups underrepresented in medicine. We encourage nominations for diverse candidates in terms of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, subspecialty, practice location, and/or national origin.

Questions? Contact us!

2023 Honorees

Advancement in Research Award

Joshua Williams, MD, FAAP
Dr. Williams' commitment to researching vaccine hesitancy and addressing health disparities is deeply rooted in his clinical experiences. His collaborations with organizations such as Immunize Colorado and the Colorado Department of Health & Environment have been pivotal in fostering vaccine discussions within racial and ethnic minority communities.

Nationally, Dr. Williams is recognized as an expert on the intersection of vaccines and religion. His insights have significantly influenced state immunization policies. In 2020, he played a key role in shaping and advocating for Colorado’s SB20-163 bill, which successfully limited non-medical exemptions and was signed into law.

Dr. Williams' unwavering dedication to achieving health equity through community-engaged vaccination initiatives has earned him the prestigious 2023 SOECP Advancement in Research Award. His impactful work continues to drive meaningful change in public health and vaccine access.

Excellence in Education Award

Emily Frank, MD, FAAP  
Dr. Frank's extraordinary commitment to advancing health literacy and fostering underrepresented youth in healthcare careers has earned her the 2023 SOECP Excellence in Education Award. Amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she supported the Oakland Unified School District by offering numerous educational sessions for staff, students, families, and the teacher's union. When vaccines became available, Dr. Frank developed a district-wide Teach-In curriculum to educate students on vaccine science and advocacy.

A staunch advocate for equity and diversity, Dr. Frank initiated "health and public health academies" in seven Oakland high schools to guide students toward healthcare careers. She worked with educators to integrate health literacy, advocacy, and workforce development into their curricula. She also organized impactful events, including Healthcare Career Conferences, Public Health Summits, and Emergency Skills Days, which brought professionals into schools to provide mentorship and hands-on learning.

Dr. Frank further pioneered two workforce development programs: Highway to ER Tech, which provides recent high school graduates with the skills and experience needed to excel as ER technicians, and Highway to Healthcare Interpreter Program, a partnership to train graduates proficient in Mam (a Mayan Guatemalan dialect) as healthcare interpreters, addressing a crucial community need.

Leadership in Advocacy Award

Sylvia Owusu-Anasah, MD, FAAP
Dr. Owusu-Ansah, is honored with the 2023 SOECP Leadership in Advocacy Award for her remarkable contributions to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at local, regional, and national levels. As a dedicated advocate for underserved children and immigrant families, Dr. Owusu-Ansah has worked tirelessly to expand healthcare access for low-income families, addressing the social determinants of health and championing a more inclusive healthcare environment.

She co-founded the Career Help Academic Achievement and Advancement Mentorship (CHAMP) initiative, a collaboration between UPMC Children’s Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. CHAMP focuses on increasing the representation of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) physicians and researchers by providing mentorship, pediatric insights, and tailored academic support to URiM medical students.

Dr. Owusu-Ansah's leadership extends to national platforms. She co-authored anti-racism statements for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP). As the inaugural chair of NAEMSP's diversity committee, she has spearheaded efforts to address EMS health disparities and promote DEI policies. She also actively serves on several task forces dedicated to improving equity and inclusion within emergency medical services.