Awards & Recognition

MedExcellence Awards

Annually, the school hosts the MedExcellence Awards Ceremony which includes the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Awards, Clinical Community Faculty Educator Award, and alternating presentation of the Golden Anniversary Prize for Clinical Investigation and the M. Paul Southwick Prize for Clinical Excellence and Teaching Award. 

We invite you to nominate an alum, peer, agency or member of the community who has contributed in extraordinary ways to the practice or support of medicine in consideration for these awards. 

    Distinguished Alumni Awards

    Levels of Achievement

    Distinguished Alumni

    Distinguished Alumni is granted to School of Medicine alumni for significant professional accomplishments in the field of medicine through excellence in clinical practice, academic activities, and/or research distinction. 

    Distinguished Humanitarian

    Distinguished Humanitarian is granted to individuals, both alumni and non-alumni, or an organization, that has made outstanding contributions to the health and welfare of our communities, locally or globally.

    Distinguished Service

    Distinguished Service is granted to individuals, both alumni and non-alumni, who have made outstanding contributions to the school, the community, and the practice of medicine.

    Current Awardees

    Submission Criteria

    The following submission criteria must be included and will be used in determining the nominee's qualifications for receiving the award:

    • Nomination Letter: A letter that states the category of nomination and establishes the candidate's qualifications with clear and concise detail.
    • Curriculum Vitae: The nominee's vita or professional résumé, including a current address. 
    • Letters of Support: A minimum of three supporting letters of nomination from other individuals (peers, current and former colleagues and mentors/mentees, etc.).
    • Any additional information that would further substantiate the nomination (optional). 

    Deadline

    Nominations are due Jan. 1 for each year's awards.

    Direct Nominations To:

    You may submit nominations in the following ways: 

    Submit a nomination today

    Accepting nominations for 2026

    Clinical Community Faculty Educator Award

    Clinical Community Faculty Educator Award

    Preceptors contribute countless hours to the education of our learners. This award recognizes outstanding clinical preceptors in the community. Nominations for the Clinical Community Faculty Award will be accepted through March 31, 2025 at 5 PM MDT. This award is sponsored by CompHealth and comes with a $2,500 prize.

    Submission Criteria

    The following submission criteria must be included and will be used in determining the nominee's qualifications for receiving the award:

    • Ongoing commitment to education
    • Teaching by example
    • Fostering an environment for success


    Please include quotes from learners who have worked with the nominee, highlighting the faculty member's exceptional contributions to their education. Nominations should emphasize the faculty member's teaching abilities and mentorship.

    We encourage the submission of a single nomination form (via the provided link) or letter (uploaded) signed by multiple individuals, including faculty members and graduate students, to reflect the broad impact of the nominee’s work. Please also be prepared to share your contact information and the contact information of who you are nominating.

    Deadline

    Nominations are due March 31, 2025 at 5 PM MDT

    Direct Nominations To:

    You may submit nominations in the following ways: 

     

    Incomplete or late nominations will not be considered. For questions, contact SOMalumni@hsc.utah.edu or call 801-581-8591. 

    Submit a nomination for a Clinical Community Faculty Educator Award

    Nominations are due March 31 at 5 PM MDT

    Golden Anniversary Prize for Distinguished Clinical Investigation

    Golden Anniversary Prize for Distinguished Clinical Investigation

    The Golden Anniversary Prize for Distinguished Clinical Investigation recognizes Utah physicians for significant contributions to understanding and treating human disease through clinical research involving human subjects. The award comes with a $5,000 prize and aims to highlight the importance of clinical investigation in advancing medical knowledge and patient care. This award was established by the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Class of 1945 on their 50th graduation anniversary. 

     

    Award & Impact

    • Award of unrestricted $5,000, presented at the School of Medicine MedExcellence Awards Ceremony on October 16, 2025.
    • Encourages early-career physicians and clinical investigators by recognizing impactful research.
    • Funded through an endowed gift from class members, including a planned gift from M. Paul Southwick, MD '45

    Eligibility & Criteria

    • Nominee must be an MD, fellow, or faculty member (Instructor to Associate Professor), with preference for early-career physicians.
    • Significant contributions to understanding and treating human disease through research directly involving human subjects.
    • Open to University of Utah faculty and any Utah physician actively engaged in clinical research.


     

    Submission Criteria

    Required materials:

    • Nomination letter (max 2 pages) outlining clinical contributions to understanding and treating human disease through research that directly involves human subjects.
    • Curriculum Vitae in NIH Biosketch format.
    • Up to three publications or relevant publication links.
    • Link to nominee’s online bio and research page.
    • Letters of support encouraged.

    Deadline

    Nominations are due March 31, 2025 at 5 PM MDT

    Direct Nominations To:

    You may submit nominations in the following ways: 

     

    Incomplete or late nominations will not be considered. For questions, contact SOMalumni@hsc.utah.edu or call 801-581-8591. 

    Submit a nomination for a Distinguished Clinical Investigation Award

    Nominations are due March 31 at 5 PM MDT

    M. Paul Southwick Prize for Clinical Excellence and Teaching

    M. Paul Southwick Prize for Clinical Excellence and Teaching

    The M. Paul Southwick Prize for Clinical Investigation and Teaching Award is awarded bi-annually and recognizes top educators in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah's Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. The award comes with a $4,000 prize and aims lend recognition and emphasize the importance of clinical observations and clinical investigation among the contributory sources of advancement in medical knowledge; and by application of the information in medical practice directly benefit patients; and encourage interest in clinical investigation and financial support for research by recognition of such achievement, especially of early-career physicians, at the conclusion of their years of postgraduate training or in the early years of career development. 

    This award was established by the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Class of 1945 on their 50th graduation anniversary, including a planned gift from M. Paul Southwick, MD '45.

    Eligibility & Criteria

    • The individual must be an early career physician in training as a Resident, Fellow, or recently appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine
    • Have demonstrated outstanding performance in clinical medicine and teaching. 


     

    Submission Criteria

    Required materials:

    • A nominating letter, up to two pages in length, summarizing the individual’s contributions in clinical medicine and teaching in Internal Medicine.
    • The individual’s updated curriculum vitae in NIH Biosketch format.
    • Up to three supporting letters from colleagues and former trainees. 

    Deadline

    Nominations are due January 31, 2026 at 5 PM MDT for the 2026 awards. 

    Direct Nominations To:

    You may submit nominations in the following ways: 

    • Email: SOMalumni@hsc.utah.edu
    • Mail: School of Medicine Alumni Association Awards Committee, 332 S 1400 E, Ste. 160, Salt Lake City, UT 84112

     

    Incomplete or late nominations will not be considered. For questions, contact SOMalumni@hsc.utah.edu or call 801-581-8591. 

    Submit a nomination for the Southwick Prize

    Nominations are due January 31, 2026

    Nominations will open in October 2025 for the 2026 award cycle.