Awards & Honors
2026 Laura Lynch ELAM/ELH Community Impact Award
Description:
The 2026 Laura Lynch ELAM/ELH Community Impact Award recognizes an individual or individuals who have made a significant and positive impact on the ELAM/ELH community. Recipients demonstrate professionalism, commitment, and unwavering dedication to supporting fellows, ELUMs, faculty, staff and other community members. They inspire others to use their talents and energy to strengthen the ELAM/ELH network and foster the continued growth and success of ELUMs in their leadership journeys.
Criteria:
Nominees must be an ELAM/ELH fellow, ELUM, dean/sponsor/CEO/etc., speaker, mentor or other leader closely connected to ELAM/ELH.
Nominees are expected to demonstrate a combination of the following qualities:
-
Serves as a mentor to ELAM/ELH community members; demonstrates positive values and behaviors that influence others to emulate or aspire to emulate; guidance, encouragement and career support to ELUMs and fellows, helping them advance in their professional paths.
-
Acts as a champion for the ELAM/ELH community, promoting collaboration, engagement and lifelong connection among its members.
-
Embodies leadership qualities that inspire and influence others to achieve their goals and contribute meaningfully to the ELAM/ELH mission.
-
Amplifies the work and visibility of ELUMs through networking, panel/speaking engagements, published articles, social media, or other forms of outreach that strengthen the program’s collective impact.
-
Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to nurturing the ELAM/ELH community through service, mentorship and support of its members’ career trajectories.
Application Checklist for Nominators:
-
Respond to three questions (listed below).
-
Attach nominee's CV.
-
Attach a letter of support (from someone other than the nominator), keeping in mind the criteria and qualities outlined above.
Required Questions About Nominee:
Nominators must respond to the three questions below, with a maximum of 300 words per response. For convenience, each question incorporates the award criteria outlined above.
Question 1: Describe how the nominee makes a meaningful and positive impact on the ELAM/ELH community. Please describe specific examples of how their actions have strengthened relationships, collaboration or engagement within the ELAM/ELH network.
Question 2: In what ways has the nominee served as a mentor or source of guidance and support to ELAM/ELH fellows, ELUMs or other community members? Cite examples of how their mentorship or encouragement has influenced others’ career growth or leadership development.
Question 3: How does the nominee exemplify the leadership qualities and professional values that inspire others in the ELAM/ELH community? Describe how their leadership style, advocacy or visibility efforts (e.g., networking, speaking, writing or outreach) have contributed to the continued success of ELUMs, fellows and the program’s mission.
Important Information for the Recipient:
On April 29, 2026, at the Leaders Forum in Philadelphia, the recipient will receive the Laura Lynch ELAM/ELH Community Impact Award, along with a $1,000 honorarium. It is mandatory for the awardee to be present at the Leaders Forum, and their travel and lodging expenses for the award ceremony will be provided.
Self-Nominations:
Self-nominations are encouraged if accompanied by a letter of support from a professional mentor or sponsor acquainted with the nominee's work and community impact initiatives.
Submission Requirements: Self-nominees must upload a letter of support from a professional mentor or sponsor, as well as their current CV.
Important Dates:
Nominations open: Monday, November 3, 2025
Nomination deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Award presented to recipient: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Leaders Forum
Submit a Nomination
Have Questions?
Contact Janine Barber at jkb48@drexel.edu.
Dr. Chatterjee was selected as the 2025 Laura Lynch ELAM/ELH Community Impact Awardee for her unwavering dedication to the ELAM/ELH community through mentorship, leadership and advocacy that consistently uplifts fellows, alumnae and faculty while advancing the program’s mission. As a nationally recognized leader in academic medicine and gender equity, she has created and led impactful DEI initiatives, served as a trusted advisor to numerous rising leaders and contributed to institutional and national policy shaping the future of women in medicine. Her influence extends through public speaking, scholarly work and leadership in organizations such as AAMC and CWAMS, making her a powerful force in promoting equity, professional development and lasting systemic change.
About Laura Lynch
Laura Lynch, who had served as ELAM's program director since 2006, passed away in February 2023. Laura shepherded hundreds of fellows through the program and stayed in close contact with them as they became ELUMs. She was the historian of the program and provided incredible insight. She led with humor and brought laughter and joy to ELAM’s national office. Her passing is a tremendous loss to the program and to our community. This award was created in her honor and in recognition of her commitment to the ELAM community.
The Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) and Executive Leadership in Health Care (ELH) program presented the 30th Anniversary Awards on May 1, 2025, in Philadelphia at ELAM’s 30th Anniversary celebration.