The Bruce and Cynthia Sherman Charitable Foundation announced it is seeking online nominations for the Sherman Prize for Excellence in Crohn’s and Colitis, also known as the Sherman Prize, to award exceptional work and pioneering initiatives in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
The Sherman Prize distinguishes outstanding contributions by healthcare professionals, scholars, public health advocates, and educators who are working with patient care, medical research, and public service in the areas of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The foundation aims to offer Sherman Prize winners with flexible finances to allow them to advance their work, while creating a ripple effect of inspiration and excellence among others who are improving research and treatment of Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
The Sherman Prize was launched when Bruce and Cynthia Sherman watched Bruce’s family deal with Crohn’s disease. “We’ve seen firsthand how Crohn’s disease can wreak physical and emotional havoc on those suffering from the disease, as well as their family and friends, who wish they could do more to ease the burdens of their loved ones,” said Bruce Sherman in a press release. “Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to meet truly inspirational people in the Crohn’s community — from compassionate practitioners driving advances in care and treatment, to advocates providing amazing support. Now we have a chance to give back, and we hope that by recognizing and rewarding outstanding work in Crohn’s and colitis, we can inspire greater advances that will help us to better understand, treat, and ultimately, cure these terrible diseases.”
Each year, the Sherman Prize will be awarded to two or more winners, each worth $100,000. The award will be given to those who have made outstanding contributions in caring or advocating for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis patients, developing significant medical research, or providing crucial public education about the conditions.
Additionally, a $25,000 Sherman Emerging Leader Prize will be awarded to individuals who can demonstrate high potential in the field of Crohn’s and UC. Decisions regarding the selection of winners will be the responsibility of the Sherman Prize Board of Directors with the guidance and assistance of the Sherman Prize Selection Committee, six renowned national scholars, clinicians, and advocates who work directly with Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
“By recognizing excellent work on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and rewarding these achievements, the Sherman Prize may inspire others who are working to improve the care of people with these diseases,” said Dr. David Rubin, the University of Chicago Medical Center’s Chief of Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, and co-director of the Digestive Diseases Center.
“I’m honored to serve on the inaugural Sherman Prize Selection Committee and look forward to reviewing an exceptional roster of nominees who are making a positive impact on those living with Crohn’s and colitis,” Rubin said.
For more information about nomination and selection processes, visit the Sherman Prize official website. Nominations will close on May 31, 2016, and finalists will be contacted this summer. The winners of the prize will be announced in the fall.