Below are details about how to participate in the Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz Humanism in Healthcare Award.
The call for 2026 nominations is now open!
Deadline: September 25, 2026.
Eligibility
Nominees must:
- Be a woman.
- Have a history of health-focused work to address inequities. Although healthcare is the focus, work may cut across other sectors, such as education, social services, research, policymaking and legislation, community mobilization, activism, etc.
- Be extensively involved and currently active in her advocacy work. The award is focused on women who are mid-career.
- Demonstrate a commitment to improving access to quality healthcare, addressing barriers to care, and treating every individual with compassion, dignity, and respect.
- Nominees do not need to have a professional degree.
- Previously nominated individuals may be nominated again (not to exceed two times within five years).
How and When to Nominate
Nominators will describe their nominee’s work, her advocacy to advance health equity, and the impact of this work through an online form open during an annual submission period.
2026 nominations will be open until September 25, 2026.
Selection Criteria and Process
The Gold Foundation includes outside experts to support the review process and make recommendations to the Gold Foundation. Based on these external recommendations and internal reviews from Gold Foundation staff, the Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz Humanism in Healthcare Awardee is selected according to the following criteria:
- Demonstrates a history of health-focused advocacy work to address inequities
- Maintains a high level of compassion and empathy
- Demonstrates respect, sensitivity and appreciation for individuals’ social, cultural and economic backgrounds
- Acts as a strong voice for the underserved
- Has impacted a significant number of individuals
- Has created lasting institutional change in the way/scope in which care is administered
- Has received public recognition or been previously awarded for their advocacy work
The Gold Foundation champions humanism in healthcare, which we define as clinically excellent care that is kind, safe, and trustworthy. Those honored by the Gold Foundation with the Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz Humanism in Healthcare Award are expected to reflect these values in daily practice and strive to be exemplars of humanism in healthcare.
Honoring the recipients
The Pearl Birnbaum Hurwitz Humanism in Healthcare Award winner receives a plaque and a check for $1,000 from The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The award will be presented at a ceremony, which may be virtual.