I Am Abel Foundation would like to formally invite Chicago area medical students, physicians, faculty and leadership at Chicago area academic institutions to nominate deserving medical students to be this year’s Still Standing Awardee.  

Each year, I Am Abel Foundation recognizes medical students who have overcome significant obstacles as they pursue their dream of becoming a physician.  Our awardees have survived homelessness and hopelessness and have included DACA students.  The common thread, however, has been that each student has demonstrated how to relentlessly pursue their dream and how to inspire others to do the same.  We need you to help us identify students in your medical school who's life and journey exemplifies this award.

The selected student(s) will be celebrated at our annual gala Spring/Summer 2020. They will provide a keynote address to our entering class of student mentees along with more than 350+ community leaders, guests and supporters as they share with us all their journey to joining our next generation of Healthcare Heroes. Their story of determination will surely serve to inspire us all.  

The awardee will be responsible for a leadership or humanitarian project that supports our foundation's mission to raise up our next generation of Healthcare Heroes and to ensure the continued growth and success of our underrepresented students. 

The awardee will also receive a travel award to support their continued education, leadership and/or humanitarian efforts.  The awardee may choose one of our numerous sponsored experiences including all expenses paid to the National Medical Association (NMA) Conference in Atlanta, August 1-5, 2020, SNMA National Conference (AMEC) March 31 - April 4th 2021 or scholarship support for one of our medical excursions/missions to Haiti, Cuba and more (details with any restrictions will be given to applicant).  More importantly, the awardee's incredible story of resilience will be celebrated and promoted to our broad social media audience and through press releases in major publications.

The deadline to nominate a student(s) ends Jan 27, 2020 so please submit early. Once students are nominated, we will forward to selected students an application to apply.  Applicant deadline is February 2, 2020 so please nominate soon and early.