2026 AWSF Attending Award Nominations Open Now!
Help AWSF recognize exceptional women surgeons and supporters by nominating a deserving individual whose character and accomplishments reflect the mission of AWSF and meet the criteria listed below. Selected awardees will be honored at the AWSF Awards Dinner and Gala on Sunday, September 27, 2026, held in conjunction with the AWS 2026 Annual Conference. The deadline to submit Award Nominations is Thursday, May 21, by 11:59 pm ET.
Award Nomination Criteria:
- Awards are available for AWS members and non-members. Please see specific membership criteria below for each award.
- Demonstration of sustained, outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in surgery.
- Self-Nominations: Nominees may self-nominate for an award. Self-nominations must include:
- Up-to-date CV/biosketch
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation by individuals who can speak to the nominee's unique qualifications for the award.
- Nomination by Someone Else: Nominations may be submitted on someone else's behalf. Nominations for others must include:
- Up-to-date CV/Biosketch of Nominee
- Nomination letter outlining the nominee's qualifications for the award.
- At least one letter of recommendation by an individual who can speak to the nominee's unique qualifications for the award. Two letters may be submitted if desired.
Each recipient will receive two tickets to the AWS Foundation Gala and a crystal award.
Dr. Nina Starr Braunwald Award
 Established through an endowment, the AWS Foundation presents this award to a member or non-member surgeon in recognition of sustained, outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in surgery. The recipients show a lifetime of continued surgical excellence and support for women surgeons and trainees.
The endowment for the Dr. Nina Starr Braunwald Award was established by her husband, Dr. Eugene Braunwald. Dr. Nina Starr Braunwald was one of the first women to perform open heart surgery, the first woman to be certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and the first to be elected to the American Association for Thoracic Surgery. She developed several early mitral valve prostheses which bear her name. Thanks to the generosity of our members and our supporters, the AWS Dr. Nina Starr Braunwald Award is now fully endowed.
Read more: Nina Braunwald: A Female Pioneer in Cardiac Surgery
Previous Award Recipients | About Nina Starr Braunwald, MD
2025 Award Winner: Carla M. Pugh, MD, PhD, FACS, MAMSE
2024 Award Winner: Mary E. Fallat, MD, FACS, FAAP
Dr. Olga Jonasson Distinguished Member Award
This award is named in memory of Olga Jonasson, MD, who was the first female chair of an academic department of surgery and a leader in the American College of Surgeons. The award is given to an AWS member who, through outstanding mentorship, enables and encourages women surgeons to realize their personal and professional goals.
Previous Award Recipients | More about Olga Jonasson, MD
2025 Award Recipient: Susan E. Pories, MD, FACS
2024 Award Recipient: Clay Cothren Burlew, MD, FACS
The Dr. Sally Abston Distinguished Member Award
The Dr. Sally Abston Award honors an Association of Women Surgeons member who exemplifies the very best of the surgical profession. This distinguished award recognizes a surgeon of nationally recognized clinical excellence who is also an extraordinary mentor and a deeply respected role model; someone who embodies the ideal of “what I want my surgeon to be like".
The recipient demonstrates an unwavering commitment to advancing and supporting women in surgery, consistently inspiring, encouraging, and enabling others to achieve their highest personal and professional aspirations.
Named in honor of Dr. Sally Abston, a beloved general, burn, and trauma surgeon at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, this award celebrates her enduring legacy of clinical excellence, fierce advocacy for trainees, and steadfast dedication to compassionate, collegial care. Dr. Abston was known for her deep commitment to her patients, her loyal support of residents and students, and her unwavering integrity, qualities that continue to define this award.
Nominees should reflect these values through a sustained, career-spanning record of clinical distinction, mentorship, and meaningful contributions to the advancement of women surgeons.
Previous Award Recipients| More about Sally Abston, MD
2025 Award Winner: V. Suzanne Klimberg, MD, PhD, MSHCT, FACS, MAMSE
2024 Award Winner: Sareh Parangi, MD, FACS
AWS Past Presidents' Honorary Member Award
 This award confers a one-year membership in the AWS to the awardee.
The AWS Honorary Member Award recognizes individuals, members or non-members, who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to advancing the mission of the Association of Women Surgeons (AWS). This honor is typically bestowed upon allies who have made meaningful contributions to the advancement of women in surgery through mentorship, advocacy, sponsorship, or leadership.
Nominees should exemplify dedication to supporting women surgeons across all stages of their careers by helping to foster an environment in which they can engage, be empowered, and excel. Through their actions, recipients have played a significant role in promoting opportunity, inclusion, and the professional and personal success of women in surgery.
Renamed in 2011 in recognition of the legacy and generous endowment of AWS Past Presidents, this award honors individuals whose sustained efforts have had a lasting impact on the surgical community.
2025 Award Winner: Thomas K. Varghese, Jr., MD, MS, MBA, FACS, MAMSE
2024 Award Winner: Jeffrey B. Matthews, MD, FACS
The Dr. Charles W. Putnam Distinguished Mentor Award
The Dr. Charles W. Putnam Distinguished Mentor Award will be given to an AWS member or non-member who has a sustained record of mentoring women surgeons and is a true agent of change to create an environment in which women surgeons can achieve their personal and professional goals.
Previous Award Recipients
2025 Award Recipient: Carlos A. Pellegrini, MD, FACS, FRCSI(HON), FRCS(HON), FRSCED(HON), FWACS(HON)
2024 Award Recipient: Martha A. Zeiger, MD, FACS
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