The Massachusetts Medical Society is proud to sponsor the following prestigious awards as a way to highlight and recognize outstanding contributions to the health and well-being of patients in the Commonwealth, throughout the country, and around the world.
Nominee Criteria
Nominees for all MMS Awards should:
- Practice medicine in or reside in Massachusetts.
- Be a member of the MMS in good standing. Exceptions may be made with regard to MMS membership if warranted.
Please note that the nomination of a current member of an MMS committee for an award that MMS committee recommends is not allowed. For questions about current committee members, please contact the staff liaison as listed on the award applications below.
Nominations must include:
- A nomination application.
- A current curriculum vitae (maximum 5 pages) for the nominee.
- A sponsor’s statement.
- Two seconding letters from Society members.
Awards Offered by the Massachusetts Medical Society
MMS Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) for lasting contributions to the practice of medicine and service to the Society. The recipient receives a $5,000 honorarium. Each nominee must have made a lasting
contribution to the practice of medicine over the course of his or her lifetime in the areas of health care delivery, patient care, education, or administration.
Nomination deadline: December 15, 2023
Download application
Distinguished Service to the Massachusetts Medical Society
The Award for Distinguished Service to the MMS was created to recognize a member of the MMS who has made significant contributions to the goals of the Society through demonstrated leadership, member recruitment, committee work, or other endeavors.
Nomination deadline: December 15, 2023
Download application
Excellence in Medical Service
The Special Award for Excellence in Medical Service recognizes a Massachusetts physician who has made a remarkable demonstration of compassion and dedication to the medical needs of patients and/or a community or has demonstrated a significant act of
heroism.
Nomination deadline: December 15, 2023
Download application
Joseph M. Heyman, MD Award for Outstanding Contributions to Organized Medicine
The Joseph M. Heyman, MD Award for Outstanding Contributions to Organized Medicine recognizes an MMS member who has demonstrated outstanding contributions in organized medicine locally and nationally, and who has demonstrated commitment and leadership
in promoting the value and impact of organized medicine focused on the betterment of patient care and improvement to the overall practice of medicine. The recipient is nominated by the MMS Officers with ratification by the MMS Committee on Recognition
Awards.
Nomination deadline: December 15, 2023
Download application
Grant V. Rodkey, MD Award for Outstanding Contributions to Medical Education
The Grant V. Rodkey, MD Award recognizes a physician who has made significant contributions to medical students, both in the hospital and in organized medicine. Nominations for this award must come from medical student members of the MMS or be co-sponsored
by medical student members of the MMS.
Nomination deadline: December 4, 2023
Download application
Henry Ingersoll Bowditch Award for Excellence in Public Health
The Henry Ingersoll Bowditch Award recognizes a Massachusetts physician who has demonstrated outstanding initiative, creativity, and leadership in the field of public health outreach and advocacy. Each nominee must have outstanding public health achievements
beyond his or her primary professional activity. Candidates are nominated by their peers and selected by the Committee on Public Health.
Nomination deadline: December 15, 2023
Download application
Barbara A. Rockett, MD Early Career Physician Leadership Award
The Barbara A. Rockett, MD Early Career Physician Leadership Award recognizes an early career physician who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in organized medicine, patient advocacy, and mentorship. Physicians eligible for nomination are under the
age of 41 or in their first eight years of medical practice, (whichever exceeds the other,) or currently training in a residency or fellowship. Candidates are nominated by their peers and the recipient is selected by the Committee on Young Physicians.
Nomination deadline: December 4, 2023
Download application
Information Technology in Medicine Award
The Information Technology in Medicine Award honors medical students and residents who have completed functioning projects in the past year that use technology to assist physicians in the practice of medicine, in teaching medicine, or in the pursuit of
clinical research. The chosen applicant in each category is awarded a prize of $5,000.
Each nominee must be a student, resident, or fellow enrolled in one of the four Massachusetts medical schools or a Massachusetts hospital training program at the time of submission.
Candidates who are selected as finalists must be available to present at the MMS Headquarters in Waltham in early December.
Application deadline: January 7, 2024
More information and application
LGBTQ Health Award
The LGBTQ Health Award recognizes a medical student or physician who has made outstanding contributions to LGBTQ health. Candidates are nominated by their peers and selected by the Committee on LGBTQ Matters.
Nomination deadline: December 1, 2023
Download application
History of Medicine Essay Award
The Committee on History honors a medical student for the best research essay related to the history of medicine or public health in Massachusetts since the initiation of the MMS in 1781. The article should be original, tightly argued, and well-referenced,
and it will be judged on scholarship, originality, and clarity of expression. $1,000 award.
One paragraph abstract deadline: November 26, 2023
Final essay deadline: January 21, 2024
More information and application
Medical Student Scholar Awards
Through the annual Scholar Awards Program, one $10,000 award is presented to two students from each of the following schools: Boston University School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Tufts University School of Medicine, and University of Massachusetts
Chan Medical School. Additionally, one $1,000 award is presented to four students from each school.
Each nominee must be enrolled in a medical school in Massachusetts and expect to graduate in 2023.
Applications are available in the Office of Student Affairs at each medical school in early October. In addition to completing an application, each candidate must also obtain three letters of reference and participate in a personal interview.
Reducing Health Disparities Award
The Committee on Diversity in Medicine recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to reducing health disparities due to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, education, disability, geographic location, sexual orientation, and
other determinants.
Nomination deadline: December 15, 2023
Download application
Senior Volunteer Physician of the Year Award
The Senior Volunteer Physician of the Year Award honors a senior MMS physician (60 or older) who has volunteered beyond the call of duty. The recipient is selected by the Committee on Senior Volunteer Physicians.
In keeping with the committee’s mission to fulfill the health and education needs of patients throughout Massachusetts, consideration will be directed toward efforts involving direct patient care. The volunteer work must occur in Massachusetts.
Nomination deadline: December 8, 2023
Download application
Underrepresented Physicians of Tomorrow Award
The Underrepresented Physicians of Tomorrow Award recognizes an underrepresented-in-medicine (URM) student or trainee who has demonstrated exemplary advocacy, scholarship, community engagement, and leadership in medicine. An award of $1,000 will be made
to the recipient in recognition of his/her accomplishments. The recipient is selected by the MMS Minority Affairs Section.
Eligibility:
- Underrepresented in medicine students, residents, and fellows attending medical school or training at institutions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- Be a member of the MMS in good standing; exceptions may be made with regard to MMS membership, if warranted.
- The MMS will follow the Association of American Medical College's (AAMC) definition of Underrepresented in Medicine at the time of award nomination, which defines URM as "those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical
profession relative to their numbers in the general population."
Nomination deadline: December 22, 2023
Download flyer
Download application
Women’s Health Award
The Women’s Health Award recognizes a physician for outstanding contributions advancing Women’s Health in Massachusetts. Candidates are nominated by their peers and selected by the Committee on Women’s Health.
Nomination deadline: December 1, 2023
Download application
Women’s Health Research Award
The Women’s Health Research Award recognizes a physician for outstanding contributions advancing Women’s Health Research in Massachusetts. Candidates are nominated by their peers and selected by the Committee on Women's Health.
Candidates are nominated by their peers and selected by the Committee on Women's Health. Preference will be given for actions that advance MMS goals.
Nomination deadline: December 1, 2023
Download application
Woman Physician Leadership Award
The Woman Physician Leadership Award recognizes a woman physician for outstanding leadership, professional contributions, and being a role model. Candidates are nominated by their peers and selected by the Women Physicians Section Executive Committee.
Preference will be given for actions that advance MMS goals.
Nomination deadline: December 1, 2023
Download application
