Nominations for the 2017 Sherman Prize, which will honor exceptional achievements in the fight against Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), will be accepted through April 30, according to the Bruce and Cynthia Sherman Charitable Foundation.
The prize actually consists of two $100,000 annual awards that recognize healthcare providers, researchers, public health activists, and educators who work in the United States. The achievements are in patient care, research, education, or public service that benefit those with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).
The foundation also awards a Sherman Emerging Leader Prize of $25,000 to a person demonstrating high potential in the field.
The committee that evaluates applicants consists of six of America’s most prominent IBD researchers, clinicians, and advocates from different areas of expertise.
“Identifying, honoring, and supporting the innovators who have devoted their careers to helping those who suffer from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is critically important,” David Rubin, chair of the prize committee and chief of gastroenterology at University of Chicago Medicine, said in a press release.
“Doing so elevates their work and inspires others to excel, which is why the Sherman Prize is so meaningful and such a tremendous service to the IBD community,” Rubin added.
The Sherman family created the prize after both of Bruce Sherman’s daughters were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. His father suffered from the disease as well.
Bruce and his wife Cynthia realized there was a need for more IBD research and better patient care.
A key goal of the Sherman Prize is to inspire tomorrow’s innovations by recognizing today’s achievements. The prize provides funding to those who recognize patients as whole persons, not simply as collections of symptoms, and who recognize IBD’s effects on their families and caregivers.
“Last year, Cynthia and I had the honor of launching the Sherman Prize and recognizing three inspiring practitioners whose work is transforming the care of people with IBD,” Sherman said. “This year, we look forward to recognizing the next change agents in the fight to overcome Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. By continuing to reward exceptional work through the Sherman Prize, we hope to create a ripple effect that inspires excellence as successes spread from community to community.”
A candidate for the prize can be nominated by colleagues, advocates, educators, or anyone else who knows the impact a potential nominee is having in the field. The prize covers achievements in the past decade, with a particular focus on the past two years. Candidates must live and work in the United States.
Winners of the 2017 Sherman Prize will be announced this summer.