The Center for Global Health Equity offers a number of annual awards that recognize students whose work embodies our commitment to partnership, integrity, and equity in global health.
Timothy R.B. Johnson, M.D. Student Award in Global Health
Award Overview
The Center for Global Health Equity presents the Timothy R. B. Johnson, M.D. Student Award for Excellence in Global Health. The award honors the legacy of the late Dr. Johnson, a visionary physician, educator, and global health leader whose pioneering work in maternal health, medical education, and health equity transformed lives around the world.
The award recognizes a University of Michigan undergraduate student who demonstrates integrity, curiosity, and a meaningful commitment to advancing global health equity. Reflecting Dr. Johnson's belief in the importance of human connection, the recipient will have shown an ability to build and sustain relationships grounded in respect, mutual benefit, and shared learning. The award celebrates a well-rounded student who values people and partnerships, embraces interdisciplinary perspectives, and is willing to try new approaches in pursuit of more equitable health outcomes.
Nomination Process
Eligibility
Nominees must be currently enrolled undergraduate students at any of the three University of Michigan campuses: Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint. Nominees must have experience in global health through coursework, internships, research, student groups/clubs, or field experiences. The award recognizes students at different stages of their global health journeys, including those whose contributions demonstrate significant promise as well as sustained achievement.
Who Can Nominate: Nominations may be submitted by U-M faculty, staff, peers, or self-nomination.
Nomination Submission: Nominations must be submitted via the official online form.
Required nomination materials
-
Nominee Information: Name, department and school/college, campus affiliation, degree and expected graduation date, contact details.
-
Nominator Information (if not self-nominated): Name; title, department and school/college; relationship to nominee; email; phone number.
-
Questions:
Why should the nominee receive this award?
How does the nominee demonstrate: a commitment to and interest in global health equity; integrity, empathy, and respect in working with others; an emphasis on human connection, relationships, and shared learning; engagement that creates mutual benefit for students, collaborators, and communities; a willingness to try new things and a well-rounded perspective. -
For student or self-nomination, must have at least 1 faculty/staff recommender to complete a reference form (instructions are in the nomination form).
Supporting Documents
Nominee CV/resume uploaded as a PDF.
Deadline
Faculty, Student, and Self Nominations must be received by 11:59pm on September 30th. For students or self-nomination, staff reference forms must be completed by 11:59pm on October 4th (instructions are in the nomination form).
Selection Process
The Center for Global Health Equity will review eligible nominations and select based on: a commitment to and demonstrated interest in global health equity; integrity, empathy, and respect in working with others; an emphasis on human connection, relationships, and shared learning; engagement that creates mutual benefit for students, collaborators, and communities; a willingness to try new things and a pursuit for well-rounded experiences.
Experience with interdisciplinary work and equitable partnerships is valued but not required.
Notification & Recognition
Awardees will be notified by email and publicly announced at the Center for Global Health Equity Community Gathering. Recipients will receive a certificate, a monetary award of $500 (note: award is disbursed through the Office of Financial Aid and may affect current financial aid award, may be taxed, or count as taxable income), and be profiled on the center's website and social media.
Questions
For questions regarding the nomination process, contact [email protected]
Joseph C. Kolars Award for Mentorship and Leadership in Global Health
Award Overview
Named in honor of Dr. Joseph C. Kolars, the Center for Global Health Equity's founding director and an internationally recognized leader in health education, this award celebrates graduate and professional degree students who exemplify the values he has championed throughout his career in the field of global health. Dr. Kolars has drawn on his deep expertise as a gastroenterologist, education leader, and global health practitioner to offer mentorship that is both supportive and challenging, consistently bringing out the best in students, trainees, and faculty. The award honors graduate and professional degree students who demonstrate the spirit of his legacy through generous mentorship, inclusive leadership, and a commitment to collaboration in the field of global health.
Eligibility
Nominees must be currently enrolled graduate (Master's, PhD) or professional degree (MD, JD, etc.) students at any of the three University of Michigan campuses: Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint. Nominees must demonstrate outstanding mentorship and leadership through global health experiences, whether through coursework, internships, research, student groups/clubs, or field experiences.
Who Can Nominate
Nominations may be submitted by U-M faculty, staff, peers, or self-nomination.
Nomination Submission
Nominations must be submitted via the official online form.
Required nomination materials
-
Nominee Information: Name, department and school/college, campus affiliation, degree and expected graduation date, contact details.
Nominator Information (if not self-nominated): Name; title, department and school/college; relationship to nominee; email; phone number. -
Questions:
Why should the nominee receive this award?
How does the nominee demonstrate: leadership with humility, mentorship and peer support, commitment to learning communities, and modeling CGHE values? -
For student or self-nomination, must provide at least 1 faculty/staff recommender to complete a form (instructions are in the nomination form).
-
Supporting Documents: Nominee CV/resume uploaded as a PDF.
Deadline
Faculty, Student, and Self Nominations must be received by 11:59pm on September 30th. For student or self-nomination, staff reference forms must be completed by 11:59pm on October 4th (instructions are in the nomination form).
Selection Criteria
The Center for Global Health Equity will review eligible nominations and select based on:
-
Leadership with Humility: Demonstrated leadership that centers collaboration with global partners and stakeholders, showing respect for diverse perspectives and experiences.
-
Mentorship and Peer Support: Strong commitment to helping peers and team members learn and grow, whether through formal mentorship roles or informal encouragement, guidance, and support.
-
Commitment to Learning Communities: Active contribution to supportive and inclusive learning environments, both formal and informal, that encourage critical reflection, shared growth, and a sense of community.
-
Modeling CGHE Values: A clear alignment with CGHE's mission to advance global health equity through partnership, integrity, and innovation.
Notification & Recognition
The awardee will be notified by email and publicly announced at the Center for Global Health Equity Community Gathering on October 21st. Recipients will receive a certificate, a monetary award of $500 (note: award is disbursed through the Office of Financial Aid and may affect current financial aid award, may be taxed, or count as taxable income), and be profiled on the center's website and social media.
Questions: For questions regarding the nomination process, contact [email protected]