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Established in 2013, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. University of Virginia Health System Award is presented annually to a student, faculty, or staff member of the health system who embodies Dr. Martin Luther King's values and teachings, in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness, in accordance with the institution's mission and values. 

Criteria

• The nominee/recipient must be a current student, faculty, or staff member at UVA Health (Medical Center, School of Medicine, or School of Nursing). 
• The nominee/recipient must have demonstrated a deep commitment and distinct passion for diversity at the health system.
• The nominee/recipient must exemplify leadership in cultural competence, healthcare disparities, or fostering an environment of inclusiveness.

Selection Committee
The selection committee for the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. University of Virginia Health System Award will include the following voting members: 

• Greg Townsend, MD, Associate Dean for Diversity, School of Medicine
• Judy Pointer, MEd., Program Manager, Office for Diversity & Inclusion, School of Medicine
• Leah Beard, Manager, Office for Diversity & Inclusion, School of Medicine 
• Kimberley Barker, Emerging Technologies & Digital Initiatives Librarian
• Diane Farineau, Director, Graduate Medical Education Program, School of Medicine
• Ivory (Ivy)Hinton, PhD, Coordinator, Data Analyses & Interpretation, School of Nursing
• Tracy Downs, MD, Chief Diversity& Community Engagement Officer/Professor of Urology, UVA Health
• Charles Lewis, Senior Telehealth Engineer-Karen S. Rheuban Center for Telehealth-UVA Health
• Preston Reynolds, MD, Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine
• Kristina Dobrovic, Admissions Office, School of Medicine
• Tonya Fredericks, MBA, Executive Assistant to Dr. Tracy Downs, UVA Health

Nomination Process
Any student, faculty, or staff member of UVA Health is eligible for nomination, according to the above criteria. In addition to the nomination form, the committee requires a letter of support describing how the nominee has exemplified the award-related criteria.

Click here for a nomination form.

Nominations are due by 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 10. Please email a completed packet, including a nomination form and letter of support in a Word document or PDF to Judy Pointer at jjp5s@virginia.edu.

Past Award Recipients
2013 - Pamela Ross, MD
2014 - Michael Moxley, MD
2015 - Dorrie Fontaine, PH.D, RN
2016 - Joel G. Anderson, PhD, HTP; 
2017- Fern Hauck, MD, MS and Charles Lewis 
2018- Eric Carson, MD and Max Luna, MD
2019- Ishan Williams, Ph.D., Preston Reynolds, MD and Franck Azobou Tonleu
2020- Randolph Canterbury, MD
2021- Zahra Alisa, Taison Bell, MD, Rudolph Beverly, Mark Fleming, MD, Milania Harris, Ebony Hilton, MD, Sana Syed, MD, UVA Housestaff Council of Diversity/Inclusion, Tiana Walker, B. Cameron Webb, MD, and Leigh-Anne Webb, MD