Distinguished Service Award in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Established in 2021, the Distinguished Service Award in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion honors an individual who has promoted diversity, equity and inclusion within AGA and the broader gastroenterology community.
Recognition Award nominations are under review. AGA will announce the 2024 recipients by press release in Spring 2024.
Recognition Award nominations are under review. AGA will announce the 2025 recipients by press release in Spring 2025.
Description
Created in 2021, the Distinguished Service Award in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) honors an individual who has promoted diversity, equity and inclusion within AGA and the broader gastroenterology community.
Eligibility
- Nominees have a record of commitment to and achievement in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in gastroenterology through mentorship, training, clinical practice, research, advocacy, and/or community engagement.
- Nominees must have a current AGA membership.
Selection process
- The recipient is selected by the Recognition Prizes Panel constituting members of the AGA Diversity Committee, AGA Institute Clinical Guidelines Committee, AGA Institute Education and Training Committee, AGA Institute Practice Management and Economics Committee, and AGA Institute Research Policy Committee.
- The AGA Governing Board ratifies the recipient.
- An individual may only receive one AGA recognition prize per year.
Nominations are reviewed according to the eligibility criteria listed above and the following review and selection criteria. Nominees:
- Have demonstrated exemplary service to AGA through service or leadership on AGA committees, journal editorial boards, and/or the governing board, and have positively influenced the diversity, equity and inclusion of the organization or the broader gastroenterology community. Recognition as an AGA Fellow is also considered.
- Contributed and/or developed DEI focused:
- Organizational policies and procedures.
- Educational materials.
- Clinical guidance or research.
- Advancement pathways in clinical practice and patient care initiatives at their institutions.
- National, regional and/or local advocacy.
- Serve on committees, task forces, and/or working groups with a DEI focus.
- Serve in leadership positions in DEI roles outside the AGA.
- Have research outputs highlighting and/or demonstrably reducing digestive disease health or healthcare disparities.
- Are nationally recognized for their DEI work as demonstrated by peer recognition, including invitations to provide talks on DEI topics.
Recognition
The recipient is recognized at the AGA Awards Ceremony during Digestive Disease Week®.
Nomination process
All nominations are submitted online by a primary nominator who is an AGA member. The names of additional AGA members who support the nomination should be listed on the nomination form and included as signatories on the nomination letter.
Complete nomination packages include the following supporting materials:
- A nomination letter, not to exceed three pages (1,800 words), copied directly into the nomination form. The primary nominator will sign the letter in the nomination system and can identify additional AGA members to endorse the nomination.
- The nominee’s curriculum vitae. Please upload the file as a PDF titled with the nominee’s last name and first initial (e.g., DoeJ_CV.pdf).
Current members of the AGA Recognition Prizes Panel and AGA Governing Board are prohibited from submitting or supporting nominations.
CONTACT
Please forward all questions about this and other AGA recognition prizes to 301-941-2619 or via email at [email protected].
Recipients (2021-2024)
| 2024 | Sophie Balzora, MD | For her work as a clinician-educator in teaching, mentorship and advocating for DEI within the medical profession and in the delivery of patient care, including co-founding the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists. |
| 2023 | Bishr Omary, MD, PhD, AGAF | For his strong track record of health equity initiatives in gastroenterology and hepatology, including driving the creation of the AGA Equity Project and efforts in securing NIH supplements for the AGA FORWARD Program. |
| 2022 | Folasade May, MD, PhD, MPhil | For her health equity research in gastroenterology and hepatology and significant contributions to AGA and the broader community through advocacy, mentorship and public service. |
| 2021 | Byron Cryer, MD, AGAF; Sandra Quezada, MD, MS | For their contributions as co-chairs of the AGA Equity Project Advisory Board. |
