Now accepting nominations!
We are currently accepting nominations for the 2026 awards. The nomination deadline is Dec. 4.
Overview
The Department of Medicine recognizes that mentorship is critical to success across all phases of a career in academic internal medicine. With this career achievement award, we seek to honor faculty members for their contribution to the scientific, educational, and patient care missions of the Department of Medicine through exemplary sustained and high impact mentorship.
Endowment
The endowment was created and the name changed in 2018 as an enduring tribute to Dr. William Bremner for his legendary wisdom, vision, coaching and sponsorship that fostered countless trainees and faculty in pursuing their passion and in reaching their ultimate potential.
Dr. Bremner was chair of the Department of Medicine from 1998-2018 and is currently an emeritis professor. From 1979-1987 he served as chief of endocrinology and from 1987-1998 as chief of medicine, both at VA Puget Sound Health Care System. In the latter position, he was also served as vice chair of the Department of Medicine.
An honorarium for professional development accompanies the award and the award will be presented at a Department of Medicine Grand Rounds. We would like to thank Dr. Emily Wong, former associate chair for clinical programs in our department, who was instrumental in securing funding for this endowment.
Criteria
Eligibility criteria
- Nominees should hold the title of associate professor or professor in any faculty pathway, with a primary appointment in the Department of Medicine.
- Nominees should have an established and sustained track record of mentoring of faculty in the Department of Medicine - both in terms of impact with individual mentees as well as breadth of impact across multiple mentees over their careers. Mentorship of trainees may also be considered if there is evidence of continued mentorship to faculty title.
Nominations
Nominations are due Dec. 4, 2026
Nomination packets must include:
- Division head letter of support (up to 2 pages)
- CV, including a table of mentees (including mentee names, mentoring period, mentor’s position on mentoring team, notable mentee accomplishments and current mentee position)
- Up to 5 additional nomination letters from faculty who can speak to the candidate’s mentorship ability (specific examples are encourages). Maximum length 1 page each.
Submission guidelines
Nomination packets with all material should be compiled into a single PDF. Please email the compiled nomination packet to Desiree Pemberton.
For questions, please contact Nisha Bansal.
Timelines
Call for nominations in September/October. Recipients announced in December/January.
Nominations for the 2026 awards are due Dec. 4, 2026.
Past recipients
2025
William Altemeier
Ellen Schur
2024
Kari Nelson
Mark Wurfel
2023
Janis Abkowitz
Bruce Psaty
2022
Thomas Gallagher
W. Conrad Liles
2021
J. Randall Curtis
Shireesha Dhanireddy
2020
Jonathan Himmelfarb
Stephanie Page
2018/19
Edward Boyko
Patricia Kritek
2017
Kristina Crothers
Joyce Wipf
2016
Rosemarie Fernandez
Oliver Press
2015
Matthew Golden
Mark Tonelli