Ana Núñez, MD

Ana Núñez, MD, associate dean for urban health equity, education and research, recently received the prestigious Association of American Medical College’s (AAMC) Dr. Herbert W. Nickens Award.

The award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to promoting justice in medical education and health care quality in the United States. Dr. Herbert W. Nickens was the founding vice president of the AAMC’s Diversity Policy and Programs unit. His passionate leadership contributed greatly to focusing national attention on the need to support underrepresented minorities in medicine.

Dr. Ana Núñez is a nationally recognized medical educator in women’s health, curricular reform and cultural competency. Her expertise in cross-cultural health care includes her nationally replicated workshop that is part of her cross-cultural seminar series for health care professionals, a core component in the Physician's Assistant program curriculum.

Dr. Núñez also helped form the College of Medicine’s Office of Urban Health Equity, Education and Research. The office connects health care providers, researchers and public health activists to provide education and care to vulnerable and underrepresented minority groups in the community. Their goal is to provide Philadelphia residents with access to quality health education and care despite the social inequalities that exist in the urban environment.

As part of receiving the award, Dr. Núñez will present the Nickens Lecture at the AAMC Annual Meeting on Monday, November 9, in Baltimore, Maryland.   

Her lecture, “Transforming ‘Do No Harm’ to ‘Do Good’: A Time to Refocus,” will examine current priorities within the health care industry and their impact on the physician’s oath to “Do No Harm.”