The VKFS Excellence in Mentorship Awards
Call for nominations
The CUIMC Virginia Kneeland Frantz Society (VKFS) for Women Faculty invites nominations for the VKFS Excellence in Mentorship Awards, recognizing any and all faculty who exemplify outstanding inclusive mentorship, sponsorship, and advocacy of faculty, students, and/or trainees at CUIMC.
Award Categories
- The Ignite Award – Early-career faculty
- The Catalyst for Change Award – Mid-career faculty
- The VKFS Dr. Anne L. Taylor Legacy of Excellence in Mentorship Award – Senior faculty
Eligibility & Nomination
Who can be nominated?
CUIMC faculty who demonstrate exceptional commitment to mentorship, professional development, and career advancement of faculty, trainees, and students.
Who can nominate?
Students, postdocs, trainees, residents, fellows, and faculty.
Mentorship Excellence Criteria
Nominees should demonstrate mentorship excellence in at least six of the following areas:
- Exemplary mentorship and professionalism
- Advocacy and sponsorship of others
- Support for career development and advancement
- Facilitation of internal and external professional networks
- Effective communication
- Guidance through challenging professional or life situations
Award Descriptions
The Ignite Award: For Early-career faculty who ignite growth and collaboration.
- Eligibility:
- Full-time faculty at the assistant professor rank
- Primary appointment at a CUIMC health science school
- Minimum of 4 years on faculty
- Nomination criteria:
-
- Models and inspires excellence in their field and/or in professionalism
- Advocacy
- Supports professional development goals
- Facilitates connections and growth of professional networks (internal and/or external)
- Demonstrates effective communication
- Supports mentees through difficult situations (i.e., providing psychosocial or emotional support or providing key resources and/or connections through career or work/life changes, navigating conflicts, facing failures, etc.)
- Provides support to those who have less access to traditional mentoring opportunities
-
The Catalyst for Change Award: For Mid-career mentors and sponsors transforming careers and academic culture.
- Eligibility:
- Full-time faculty at the associate professor rank or early-stage professor (first year at rank)
- Primary appointment at a CUIMC health science school
- Nomination criteria:
- Demonstrates sustained support and commitment to the promotion, active sponsorship, and professional development of faculty, students, and/or trainees
- Sustains commitment and support by celebrating and spotlighting the career success of others
- Demonstrates leadership in the development and/or expansion of professional development, networking, and leadership opportunities
- Expands professional networks (internal and external) and research collaborations
The VKFS Dr. Anne L. Taylor Legacy of Excellence in Mentorship Award: For Senior leaders whose mentorship has shaped generations.
- Eligibility:
- Full-time professor rank (tenure or non-tenure track)
- Primary appointment at a CUIMC health science school
- Nomination criteria:
- Champions continued support of career advancement, increases opportunity, and representation in our community
- Recognized as modeling inclusive mentorship, leadership, and advocacy for faculty, students, and/or trainees
- Demonstrates impact on mentee career advancement and success
- Impact on institutional transformation, such as:
- Key contributions to shaping institutional policies, programs, or initiatives focused on academic career advancement
- Demonstrates leadership in faculty development, curriculum reform, or strategic planning for the support and success of the next generation
- Creates opportunities for those underrepresented in medicine and the health sciences
- A proven track record of fostering lasting, inclusive collaborations and intentionally connecting mentees with external networks to support their professional growth and national visibility
Nomination Materials
- CV (CUIMC format)
- Nomination letter
- One letter of support
- Career impact data demonstrating mentee or institutional impact (required for the Legacy Award)