2017 Annual Appeal
As the end of a busy year approaches, we at the American Society for Clinical Investigation hope to share with you our enthusiasm about and commitment to encouraging and recognizing excellence within the physician-scientist community.
Over the past several months, the ASCI has been increasing efforts to raise awareness of and financial support for ASCI programs designed to assist physician-scientists on their career paths. We hope you will consider joining these efforts and make a contribution today.
The ASCI has established a program for every stage in a physician-scientist’s career – Early Career Path Development (Medical Fellows Initiative); Early Career Recognition (Young Physician-Scientist Awards and the Donald Seldin~Holly Smith Award for Pioneering Research); and Career Recognition (the Stanley J. Korsmeyer Award and the ASCI/Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine). We are continually looking to build on these programs, which requires funding beyond what we can achieve through member dues.
Early Career Path Development. The Medical Fellows Initiative brought many bright young scientists to the Joint Meeting this past April. It is encouraging to witness their enthusiasm in presenting their work and gaining exposure to the ASCI and its members. The Medical Fellows Initiative provides career panels and mentor workshops for these students, giving them valuable information and support as they plan their careers. The ASCI’s goal is to encourage these fellows to pursue careers that combine patient care and research, with a focus on excellence that we hope will lead them to ASCI membership.
The ASCI’s Young Physician-Scientists Awards brought many early-career faculty members to the meeting to present their research; the awardees are rising stars in the field, and indeed potential ASCI members. We must do all we can to encourage these young colleagues.
Early Career Recognition. The Donald Seldin~Holly Smith Award for Pioneering Research realized its inaugural year, culminating in a talk by the first awardee, Christian P. Schaaf, MD, PhD, and recognition of the second award recipient, Omar Abdel-Wahab, MD, at the 2017 Joint Meeting. Each year, the Seldin~Smith Award provides meaningful financial support to a promising young physician-scientist during a career period when there can be a dearth of support. Over time, we envision that the Award will create a network of engaged physician-scientists to carry on the legacies of Drs. Seldin and Smith in mentoring and fostering scientific excellence.
Career Recognition. This coming year marks the 20th anniversary of the Stanley J. Korsmeyer Award: two decades of celebrating excellence across a spectrum of science. The Harrington Prize, a collaboration between the ASCI and the Harrington Discovery Institute, will recognize its 5th recipient this coming year. Through these programs, we are excited to continue celebrating the extraordinary work of physician-scientists.
We know that the obstacles to becoming a physician-scientist are many, and that great fortitude is needed to excel on this path. With your help, we endeavor to help our scientific family members to attain excellence at every stage in their careers. Join us on the path today to support and encourage excellence within the physician-scientist community.
Sincerely,
Benjamin L. Ebert, MD, PhD
2017-2018 President
The American Society for Clinical Investigation
Kieren Marr, MD
2017-2018 President-Elect
The American Society for Clinical Investigation
