
2025 AWSF Award Nominations Open through May 22!
Help AWSF recognize exceptional women surgeons and supporters by nominating a deserving individual whose character and accomplishments reflect the mission of AWSF and meet the criteria listed below. Selected awardees will be honored at the AWSF Awards Dinner and Gala on Sunday, October 5, 2025, held in conjunction with the AWS 2025 Annual Conference.
Attendings Awards
- Dr. Nina Starr Braunwald Award
- Dr. Olga Jonasson Distinguished Member Award
- Dr. Sally Abston Association of Women Surgeons Distinguished Member Award
- AWS Past Presidents' Honorary Member Award
- The Dr. Charles W. Putnam Distinguished Mentor Award
Trainees Awards
- Dr. Patricia Numann Medical Student Award
- Dr. Hilary Sanfey Outstanding Resident Award
2024 AWS Foundation Award Recipients
Women Surgeons in Low & Middle Income Countries Award
 This award was established in 2016 to enable a woman surgeon in a low or middle income country to attend a surgical meeting, participate in a workshop or other career development or educational opportunity.
Criteria:
- AWS members and non-members can apply.
- Submission of a personal statement/letter outlining the request.
- Submission of a full budget including any additional outside funding required
- Submission of three letters of recommendation attesting to your experience and qualifications.
- Submission of an up-to-date CV/Biosketch.
Each recipient will receive up to $2,000 in travel and lodging reimbursement for the educational opportunity or meeting.
The 2021 recipient of this award is Dr. Wairimu Ndegwa, a surgeon and educator at the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Kenya. She is being supported by the AWSF in obtaining a Masters in International Public Health online from the Liverpool John Moores University in order to better serve her community.
Starr Medical Student and Resident Research Forum

The Starr Medical Student and Resident Research Forum, named for Dr. Nina Starr Braunwald, is designed to facilitate interaction and idea exchange between students interested in surgery, surgical residents, and faculty members of various institutions. We invite medical students and residents to select their best work for presentation at the AWS Annual Conference.
Previous Contest Winners | About Nina Starr Braunwald, MD
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