The 2025 Call for Nominations is now open! Nominations are due on Fri, June 27th at 5pm

The Sandra and Arnold Gold Award for Humanistic Teaching is presented annually to an inspirational Harvard Medical School (HMS) faculty educator at Cambridge Health Alliance who models compassion, integrity, respect and service in teaching HMS students, residents, fellows or peers. The award was established in 2019 in honor of Drs. Sandra and Arnold Gold and their remarkable decades-long contributions to humanistic medical education nationally and locally. The award will be given at the Harvard Medical School Daniel D. Federman Teaching Awards Ceremony this fall, tentatively scheduled for Mon, October 27th (additional info TBD). The awardee will also be celebrated at a reception with the CHA community.

Eligibility:

• Nominee must hold an HMS faculty appointment and be employed by CHA at least half time

• Nominees must actively teach HMS learners at CHA. For example, Cambridge Integrated Clerkship students, Interns or Residents in HMS-affiliated CHA graduate training programs or HMS faculty colleagues Anyone may nominate a candidate for this award

• Past recipients cannot be nominated (Jill Kasper, Gerard Coste, Kate Harney, Todd Griswold, Marie-Louise Jean-Baptiste, Alison Rapoport)

Submitting a Nomination: Due Fri, June 27th at 5pm.

Please fill out this Google Form and submit a nomination letter of 1,000 words or less. This letter can be signed by more than one person. Nominations sent after the deadline or not following submission criteria will not be considered. Out of fairness for all candidates, we cannot accept letters that exceed the word count or are submitted after the deadline.

Suggestions for Crafting a Successful Nomination letter: 

1. Carefully read the eligibility requirements and make sure your candidate qualifies.

2. Ensure that your letter is squarely focused on the domain of interest, which is humanistic teaching (e.g., you may briefly mention the nominee's excellent care of patients and/or research expertise, but the letter should be primarily focused on their teaching).

3. Seek input from a range of learners and colleagues who can speak to different facets of the nominee's exceptional record and inspirational impact. Include memorable quotes to bring alive each point you wish to emphasize. Tell smaller stories that build into the larger story that you wish to convey about the nominee. Specific, moving stories are more compelling than a list of generic attributes.

4. Composite letters are welcome, and letters can be signed by more than one person.

5. Ensure your letter is 1,000 words or less (not including signatures). Letters greater than 1,000 words will not be considered.

6. Look at nomination letters written in support of previous winners as examples. 

For any additional questions, please email cpd@challiance.org.

Dr. Alison Rapoport was honored at the 2024 Daniel D. Federman Teaching Awards Ceremony on the HMS campus.Dr. Rapoport was also recognized at the CHA Academic Council Award Ceremony.It is a privilege to be able to honor and celebrate our incredible colleague!