AGA-Pfizer Beacon of Hope Awards for Gender and Health Equity
Three outstanding women physicians, scientists, and advanced practice providers will be recognized for their significant contributions to advancing gender and health equity for patients and/or healthcare providers in GI.
We’re highlighting change-makers and inspiring others to emulate their exemplary actions.
The AGA-Pfizer Beacon of Hope Awards for Gender and Health Equity honors early to mid-career women in gastroenterology (GI) who excel in promoting gender and health equity for patients and/or healthcare providers. This includes improving access to care for underserved communities, enhancing health literacy, increasing diversity in clinical trials, and advancing the careers of women in GI.
The award highlights recipients’ accomplishments to inspire others, promoting gender and health equity through wider initiatives within the field of digestive diseases. By celebrating these achievements, the program aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable GI community.
Recipients will be honored at the Annual Women in GI Luncheon during Digestive Disease Week® (DDW), which in 2025 will be named the AGA Beacons of Hope Women’s Luncheon.
Apply now
Nominations and applications for the inaugural AGA-Pfizer Beacon of Hope Awards for Gender and Health Equity are due by March 17, 2025.
- Nominees must have a current AGA membership.
- Nominees have a record of promoting gender and/or health equity.
- Nominees must be physicians, scientists, and/or advanced practice providers, at an early to mid-career stage
- Nominees should demonstrate measurable contributions to reducing health disparities in GI and reaching historically underserved patient populations with specific examples or metrics for:
- Demonstrated impact on health disparities
- Focus on underserved populations
- Research, publications, or advocacy
- Nominees should be inspiring and increasing career advancement for women and historically underrepresented professionals in GI with specific examples or metrics for:
- Leadership in mentorship and sponsorship
- Promoting gender and inclusivity in the workplace
- Leadership in promoting a broadly representative and culturally sensitive workforce
All nominations are submitted online by self-nomination or a primary nominator. Following a nomination, the nominee will complete an application. Complete application packages include the following supporting materials:
- Two personal statements from the applicant (each not to exceed 500 words), copied directly into the nomination form that provides evidence of meeting criteria for the award.
- The applicant’s curriculum vitae or resume. Please upload the file as a PDF titled with the applicant’s last name and first initial (e.g., DoeJ_CV.pdf).
- One supporting endorsement statement (not to exceed 500 words), submitted directly through the application form.
The recipients are selected by a selection committee comprising three co-course directors representing AGA’s DEI Committee, Women’s Committee, and NPPA Task Force.
- March 17, 2025: Completed nominations/applications deadline
- April 14, 2025: Applicant status notifications delivered
- May 5, 2025: Announcement of award recipients at the 2025 AGA Beacons of Hope Women’s Luncheon
The recipients are recognized at the Annual Women in GI Luncheon, during Digestive Disease Week®, that is being transformed into the AGA Beacons of Hope Women’s Luncheon, and through various AGA media channels.
The recipient will also receive an AGA Travel Award (funded solely by AGA). The travel award will reimburse registration to DDW and a one-night hotel stay not to exceed $300 per night.
Selection committee
Joan A. Culpepper-Morgan, MD
Harlem Hospital Center
Chair, AGA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
Aimee L. Lucas, MD, MS, AGAF
Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West Hospitals
Chair, AGA Women’s Committee
Jessica Gandhi, PA-C
Capital Digestive Care
Member, AGA NPPA Task Force
This initiative was developed in collaboration with Pfizer. Funds from the Pfizer sponsorship will not be used for any related travel or admission to DDW for the recipients or to cover the costs for food for the awards luncheon.
