The Olaf S. Andersen Physician-Scientist Award was created by the Incoming Class of 2017 to honor the legacy of Dr. Olaf Andersen, who was Director from 1996 until 2021. Each year, MD-PhD students in their 3rd year of medical school are nominated by their peers and mentors for the award, with the recipient chosen by the Executive Committee. The award, in addition to the honor and prestige it brings, comes with a $3,000 prize.
In 2021, the students explained their inspiration for establishing the award, saying “The core values of our program are inextricable from the character and vast contributions of Dr. Andersen. Dr. Andersen was a compassionate mentor, an unforgiving advocate for diversity in science, and an inspiring teacher. His commitment to our community grew the Tri-Institutional program into one of the strongest MD-PhD programs in the country. We remain forever indebted to Dr. Andersen’s commitment and dedication to this program.”
They set seven criteria for the award in accordance with seven key components of Olaf’s leadership:
- Character defined by compassion, empathy, and understanding
- Desire to integrate biological and quantitative systems
- Commitment to mentorship
- Commitment to the development of creative or personal endeavors
- Commitment to integrity and accountability
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion
- Commitment to improving the MD-PhD community
Although students need not meet all criteria to be nominated, the students nominated this year do embody them all. The selection of one recipient is always a very difficult task, especially with a class as accomplished as this one. But we did need to choose one recipient, and are very proud to have selected, as this year’s OSA Physician-Scientist Award, Dianne Lumaquin-Yin.
Here are just some of the things that her peers wrote about her in their nominations, highlighting just a few of the characteristics and accomplishments that earned her the award.
- Dianne is an exceptionally impressive representative of our program.
- She is an exemplary scientist, empathetic advocate, and passionate leader within the Tri-I MD-PhD program.
- Since her first year, she has been integral to shaping the Tri-I community, through participation in and early organization of community events, through leadership in organizations such as FACES and Gateways, and development of the Tri-I House System. She also serves as a formal and informal mentor to countless students in the Tri-I community.
- On a personal note, Dianne is thoughtful, hard working and trustworthy, which makes it a joy to work with her and will make her an exceptional physician-scientist. Dianne embodies what it means to be an MD-PhD, incorporating her medical and research interests with a passion to care for people and enhance their health.
- Dianne is an individual who, while paving her own trail, unreservedly looks back to aid those behind her. If I want honest, cogent, and empathetic advice about MD-PhD training (including but not limited to how to plan a wedding and a thesis defense at the same time), she is the first person I turn to.
- I know that in my career I will continue to turn to her for advice, and when a young MD-PhD student becomes interested in dermatology in the future, it will undoubtedly be her name at the top of the alumni list you suggest they speak to.
- The Tri-I produces many exceptional students each year, and this graduating class is no exception. But in the years since this award’s conception, in the year where I know all the candidates most closely, it is clear to me that Dianne is the obvious candidate for the Olaf S. Andersen award.
Congratulations to Dianne Lumaquin-Yin, our 2023 Olaf S. Andersen Physician-Scientist Award winner.
