Calling all up-and-coming clinicians with a passion for health justice! Migrant Clinicians Network proudly invites submissions for the prestigious Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award. This is an extraordinary opportunity to recognize clinicians who are early in their career, and already making a profound impact at the critical intersections of health and vulnerability within migrant and other underserved populations. Not only will the winning recipient be celebrated for their outstanding work in health justice, but they will also be awarded $1000 to further honor their commitment to the communities they serve.
Named for MCN’s own Candace Kugel, FNP, CNM, MS and Founding Director Ed Zuroweste, MD, the award acknowledges their tremendous impact in the field of migrant health by highlighting clinicians who, despite being new in their careers, mirror the same commitment to health justice.
“We love the Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award because it gives us a chance to honor two people near and dear to our hearts, who have dedicated their lives to improving the health and well-being of mobile populations and have also strengthened our work at MCN,” MCN’s Chief Executive Officer, Kim Nolte, MPH, MCHES, said. “And at the same time, we are able to highlight rising star professionals who will carry the torch forward.”
Do you know an actively working clinician, young in their career, who embodies the spirit of health justice and exemplifies courage and compassion to battle health inequities? We seek individuals from diverse clinical backgrounds such as behavioral health practitioners, community health workers, dentists, nurses, nurse-midwives, nurse practitioners, optometrists, outreach specialists, physicians, physician assistants, social workers, and many more to join the ranks of illustrious changemakers serving their communities.
“The K & Z Award changed my life by reminding me of the importance of the work I do throughout the challenges of community health,” Paulina Segovia, PA-C, RDN, and previous Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award winner, said. “I would like to see our next winner be reinvigorated by this award and have it propel them to do wonderful things and take on new challenges in community health.”
To be eligible, these candidates must demonstrate a significant commitment to health justice and contribute to the field through their innovative approaches. For example, has your colleague created a best practice or found a creative way to provide essential services to underserved populations, such as agricultural workers or migrants in your community? We want to hear about their remarkable achievements!
We are seeking "rising stars" who are within their first five years of professional practice and have yet to receive major national recognition. Additional consideration will be given to candidates who triumphed over significant barriers in becoming a clinician or those who belong to a marginalized and underrepresented community.
To participate, complete a short nomination form and compose a compelling essay (no longer than 850 words) explaining how your desired candidate not only meets the award criteria but also embodies the legacy of the esteemed Kugel & Zuroweste Health Justice Award. Join us in highlighting the long-term impacts of the award’s namesake innovators, Candace Kugel, FNP, CNM, MS, and Ed Zuroweste, MD. Across their decades-long careers, Kugel and Dr. Zuroweste have served as beacons for so many in the pursuit of health justice. Submit your nomination today to be part of their legacy: sharing a mutual passion to create positive change.
Want to know what previous K & Z Award Winners like Segovia are up to? Head over to our blog to catch up now!
