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!

2021 Honorees

Advancement in Research Award

Shannon Baumer-Mouradian, MD, FAAP
Dr. Shannon Baumer-Mouradian is honored for her successful development and implementation of an initiative designed to overcome vaccine disparities in children in the emergency department setting at Children’s Wisconsin as well as six local urgent care centers. In addition to her work on influenza vaccination, Dr. Baumer-Mouradian worked closely with hospital leadership to devise a COVID-19 vaccination action plan which resulted in Children’s Wisconsin being one of the first institutions in the state to initiate a vaccination program for frontline healthcare workers. Dr. Baumer-Mouradian’s commitment to achieving health equity through vaccination is why she was selected for the SOECP Advancement in Research Award.

Excellence in Education Award

Elizabeth Donner, MD, FAAP
For Community Education, Dr. Donner is honored for her work to build “My Friend the Pediatrician,” a far-reaching Facebook page that works to combat online misinformation, bridge the widening social-emotional gap between families and providers, translate evidence-based guidance into widespread educational material, and keep healthy children out of harm’s way. The page itself has accumulated 30,000+ followers to date, with the proven potential to reach over 840,000 viewers through a single post. She addresses difficult topics regarding public health disasters, vaccination, childhood obesity, screen time, safe sleep practices, and more. Dr. Donner’s innovative use of social media to educate is why she was selected for the SOECP Excellence in Education Award.

Shakun Gupta, MD, FAAP
For Medical Education, Dr Gupta is honored for her work at University of Virginia as an invested, enthusiastic educator that is decorated with accolades for her commitment to her profession. In addition to teaching 3rd and 4th year medical students and pediatric residents, Dr. Gupta has entirely re-vamped the 3rd year pediatric clerkship orientation, which now includes a new curriculum that Dr. Gupta developed on the Social Determinants of Child Health. She also codeveloped a new curriculum for the pediatric residents on Humanism, Compassion, and Physical Well-Being. Dr. Gupta’s reputation and drive to serve her students, patients, and families is why she was selected for the SOECP Excellence in Education Award.

Leadership in Advocacy Award

Yale Health Education and Literacy for Asylees and Refugees (Y-HEALAR)
Y-HEALAR is honored for their unwavering dedication to promoting health education of refugee families in the greater New Haven area and providing trainees the opportunity to learn skills in cultural humility, work with local refugee organizations, and gain comprehension in sociocultural and political factors affecting refugees. Y-HEALER exemplifies the potential for advocacy groups to build sustainable programming that benefit a vulnerable, underserved community through multi-level engagement and strategic partnerships. The group’s innovative, impactful health advocacy program is why it was selected for the SOECP Leadership in Advocacy Award.