medical essay writing competition

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Helen H. Glaser Student Essay Award

To encourage medical students to write creative narratives or scholarly essays relevant to medicine. Winning essays will be published in the Autumn issue of  The Pharos .

Important Dates

Deadline for submission.

• Download the announcement and checklist here

Winners will be annouced

Cash awards of $1,500 for first place; $1,000 for second place; and $850 for third place.

Eligibility

Authors must be enrolled in medical schools that have an active ΑΩΑ Chapter or Association but need not be members of ΑΩΑ. However, if the author is an AΩA member, he/she must be an active member. Only one entry may be submitted per student.

Requirements

1. Essays must be written while the student is in medical school, must be the work of a single author, and must be an original work. The essay must not be offered to, or published by, any other journal or entered in any other contest prior to submission or during, the AΩA selection process. 

2. The essay must be related to medicine.

3. Essays should not be fictional or written in first person, but academic/scientific in theme.

4. The essay must not exceed 15 double-spaced pages of 12-point type with minimum 1-inch margins, exclusive of reference listing. The author’s name and essay title must be on each page, and all pages must be numbered.

5. Unique references, numbered consecutively, should be limited to 20. (Reference citation of a website is not acceptable unless a site is the sole source of the information or has official academic credentials. Examples of acceptable sites are official government web pages such as that of the National Institutes of Health.)

6. The Pharos Editorial Board suggests that authors review George Orwell’s “6 Rules for Writing”.

7. Essays that are not selected as award recipients may be submitted to other contests/publications after the winners are announced on March 8, 2024.

8. Essays not meeting all requirements will not be considered.

Questions may be directed to

Questions may be directed to  Libby Appel at 720-859-4149, or  [email protected]

All AΩA awards, fellowships, grants, and program submissions must be electronically submitted through the appropriate page on the AΩA website.

Past Student Essay Winners

Previous winners.

Begun in 1982, this award is annually awarded in June.  All medical students enrolled in schools with active AΩA chapters are encouraged to apply. The purpose of this award is to encourage medical students to sit down and write well-crafted creative narratives or scholarly essays relevant to medicine.

• First prize : $1,500
• Second prize : $1,000
• Third prize : $850

Winning essays will be published in future issues of  The Pharos.

• First prize – “Show me Your Scars” by Jeong Jun Kim, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

• Second prize tie – “The Fears and Needs of the Dying Child: The Case of Julianna Snow” by Aishwarya Gautam, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

• Second prize tie – “Remote Renaissance: Expanding Telehealth and Provider Incentives in Rural Areas” by Kathleen Warner, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

• Third prize – “Perseverance and Passion: The Road to Being a Woman in Neurosurgery” by Evangeline Bambakidis, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

• First prize – “The Words We Use Matter” by Mary (Molly) Fessler, University of Michigan Medical School
• Second prize – “Pathway Programs: A Promising Pipeline to Diversity and Equity for Tomorrow’s Physicians” by Ben Rhee, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
• Third prize tie – “What TikTok Teaches: Women’s Health and Medical Misinformation on TikTok” by Madelaine McElrath, New York Medical College
• Third prize tie – “Automation of Medicine: The Intersection of Healthcare and Artificial Intelligence” by Nitin Nadella, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine
• Third prize tie – “Chronic Pain: An Invisible Disease in Western Biomedicine” by Allison Yan, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
• First prize: “Yellow Plague in America: the intersections of disease, social determinants and discrimination” by Rebecca Chen, Baylor College of Medicine
• Second prize: “The Silent Pandemic: Told & Untold Stories of Mental Health in a COVID-19 World” by Geetanjali Rajamani, University of Minnesota Medical School 
• Third prize: “Sociomedicine: Explanations for Race Disparities in Infant Mortality” by Adrienne Simmons, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine   
• First prize:  “Historic Context & Communication: Undoing Medical Mistrust” by Olivier Joseph, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
• Second prize:   “Health Care’s Carbon Footprint” by Preethi Kesavan, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
• Third prize:  “Respect” by Jaclyn Arvedon, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University
• First prize:  “If Dementia Comes for Me” by David Ney, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
• Second prize:  “Just the Honey” by Gillian Stein, New York University School of Medicine
• Third prize:  “Hair and Its Stories” by Jesse Perdily, New York University School of Medicine
• First prize:  “The Price of Pills: A Brief History of the Kefauver-Harris Amendment” by Reid Wilkening, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
• Second prize:  “The Louse Manifesto” by Prisca Alilio, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
• Third prize:  “Don Ze Pill” by Rebecca Grossman-Kahn, University of Michigan Medical School“Historic Context & Communication: Undoing Medical Mistrust” by Olivier Joseph, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

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Essay Contest

Congratulations to the 2024 Essay Contest winners !

About the Contest

The Lasker Essay Contest engages early career scientists and clinicians from the US and around the globe in a discussion about big questions in biology and medicine and the role of biomedical research in our society today. The Contest aims to build skills in communicating important medical and scientific issues to broad audiences. The topic is announced annually in early February, and winners are announced in mid-July.

Eligibility

The Contest is open to medical school students, interns, residents, and fellows; doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows in biomedical sciences; and graduate students training in health professions programs e.g., public health, dental, pharmacy, etc who are currently doing research. Applicants (from the US or any other countries) must be currently participating in an educational program. This program may be located in any country.

Winners will receive up to $5,000. Monetary prizes will be directed to the winner’s university to be used towards the winner’s educational expenses.

Essays should be 800 words or less and must be written in English. We allow only one essay submission per applicant, and the essay must be written by a single author. The use of any generative AI tool (e.g. ChatGPT) in composing an entry is prohibited – all essays will be screened with software designed to detect use of AI. Essays need to be original; content previously published will be disqualified.The file containing the essay should include the essay title and the applicant’s name, email, and institutional affiliation. The 800-word limit applies to the body of the essay. Field-specific scientific jargon should be avoided or explained.

Evaluation Criteria

Essays will be evaluated based on their originality, quality of writing, style, and clarity. Essays that are not written in English or are longer than 800 words will not be considered.

Publication

The winning essays will be published in the July issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation .

All Winners

Meet the Winners of the 2024 Essay Contest and Read the Essays

Meet the Winners of the 2023 Essay Contest and Read the Essays

Meet the Winners of the 2022 Lasker Essay Contest

The 2022 Lasker Essay Contest

Meet the Winners of the 2021 Lasker Essay Contest

The 2021 Lasker Essay Contest

Winners of the 2020 Lasker Essay Contest

Winners of the 2019 Lasker Essay Contest

Winners of the 2018 Essay Contest

Winners of the 2017 Essay Contest

Winners of the 2016 Essay Contest

Winners of 2015 Essay Contest: The “Research Challenge”

2014 Essay Contest: Supporting Medical Research

Read the winning essays.

Kevin S. Blake Missing microbiomes: global underrepresentation restricts who research will benefit

Catherine M. Bridges Illuminating maternal sepsis: a call for improved recognition and prevention

Andrea M. Maxwell What happens to the brain during pregnancy?

A Subashan Vadibeler The (unresolved) antibody paradox

Sarah Voss The enemy of my enemy is my friend

Allison R. Chen Research Training in an AI World

Louise O. Downs Is a Test Better Than No Test When There Is No Treatment?

Ayush Kumar Using HG1222 — A Perspective Into the Ethics of Collecting Biospecimens

Salman E. Qasim The Human Brain: The Final Frontier and the Wild West

Sneha P. Rath Cementing the Bricks

Kaelyn Cummins Microbes, Medicine, and Astronauts: Reflections on a Collaborative Project

Azmina Karukappadath Two Fields, One Dream

Hussain Lalani I Would Be Scared if I Heard That Too

Rutvij Merchant Pathways to Global Health Equity: More Seats, Fresh Perspectives

Kirti Nath Puzzles

Avik Ray Unified Diversity: The Team Game

Ziad Ali What Happens Now?

Banafsheh Nazari Embracing Technology, the Pandemic’s Lesson for Us

Trisha Pasricha One more question

Miriam Saffern My Mother is a Layperson

Adina Schonbrun The Cornerstone of Scientific Success: Unsung Frontline Heroes of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Emily Ashkin Michael Bishop: A Scientist for the Next Generation

David Basta For the Love of Science

Avash Das Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein: Tribute to My Inspiration

William Dunn Sweet Are the Uses of Adversity

Safwan Elkhatib Salk, Sabin, and the Crown of Health

Laurel Gabler Putting “People’s Health in People’s Hands”: How the Bangs Inspired my Personal Journey

Kwabena Kusi-Mensah As One Single Tribe: Thinking Globally and Locally

Lisa Learman With the Corn, Against the Grain

Olivia Lucero Genetics as a Tool for Generational Empowerment

Hannah Mason My Gym Genie: Gathering Inspiration from Dr. John Schiller

Samantha Wong Fauci: Science as a Voice of Reason

Grace Beggs Game On: Smartphone Technology for Science Education

Peter John Making it All Fun and Games in the Biomedical Sciences

Dereck Paul Pathways: A National Mentorship Program for High School Students Underrepresented in Science and Medicine

David Hartmann Cancer Survivors: Outstanding Advocates for Trust in Science

Debra Karhson A Verification Vaccine for Social Contagion

Caroline Vissers Diversity at the Top of the Social Media Signaling Cascade

Abigail Cline Science and Cinema: From the Benchtop to the Big Screen

Tammy Tran Science Is Everywhere: Unexpected Science Encounters in the Course of Everyday Life

Michael Wu Search for Science: Smart Search-Linked Discussion Forums

Jennifer Bratburd Breaking through Barriers to Science with Citizen Science

Apurva Lunia Dissemination of Biomedical Research Via Multimedia Platforms Using Existing Healthcare Frameworks

Jessica Sagers Let’s Get Real: (Re)making Scientists Into People

David Ottenheimer Modern Neuroscience Has the Tools to Treat Psychiatric Illness

Therese Woodring (Korndorf) Hacking the Bacterial Social Network: Quorum Sensing and the Future of Microbial Management

Unikora Yang The Cutting Edge of DNA Editing: Translating CRISPR to Improve Human health

David Hill Mutual Understanding: Uncovering the Mechanistic Basis of the Host-Symbiont Relationship in Human Health

Joseph Rathkey In Silico Modeling as an Ideal Platform for Future Biological Research and Discovery

Stephanie Ng Depression and the Final Frontier

Omar Toubat Mastering the Genetic Reprogramming of Cells

Peter Soh Offering Incentives for Future Scientists

Michael Burel Catalyzing Broad Public Interest in Scientific Research

Nick Andresen Crowdsourcing a Medical Research Donation Database

Gregg Gonsalves Researchers as Advocates and Activists

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The BSANZ Medical Student Reflective Essay Competition

The balint society of australia and new zealand has announced the winners from the 2023 medical student reflective essay competition..

There were a record 89 entries this year, with a very high standard of writing covering a wide range of topics.  After several rounds of reviewing, the reviewers are pleased to announce the top 12 essays as listed in the table below.

Congratulations to Megan Torpey and Taneka Tezak who received The Lawrence Gilbert Memorial Prizes.  Runners up were Geetika Malhotra, Alisha Sethi, Dikshya Parajuli and Tuyen Pham.  Links to all these essays will be listed in due course.

Our thanks go to the local and international group of essay reviewers who did an amazing job this year.

Results and essays from previous competitions can also be accessed through the links listed below.

Essay requirements for the next competition in 2025 are listed as well, with a submission date expected to be in July 2025.  We look forward to hearing from you then.

Hamish Wilson (Dunedin, NZ) and Alexa Gilbert-Obrart (Sydney Australia) Conveners on behalf of the BSANZ

2025 Essay Requirements for Medical Student Writing Prize

Medical Student Writing Prize 2021 Results

There were 45 entries in 2021, with a very high standard of writing. Congratulations to Madison Booth and Stephanie Lee who received The Lawrence Gilbert Memorial Prizes.

We would like to congratulate all the students for their perceptive essays about their interactions with significant patients, as well as for their insights about the nature of clinical training and medical practice. Four essays from the 2021 competition were published in medical journals (Journal of Primary Health Care (NZ) and The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine (US)).

Many thanks to students and our reviewers who have made this essay competition such a success.

Alexa Gilbert-Obrart and Hamish Wilson On behalf of the BSANZ.

Winning essays from 2021

Too Momentous for Words , by Madison Booth (University of Queensland)

Beyond the Medical , by Stephanie Lee (Bond University)

An unexpected journey , by Thomas Swinburn (Auckland Medical School)

Homecoming , by Rebecca Gandhi (Auckland Medical School)

Further information about past winners of the Medical Student Reflective Essay Competition is available here.

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National essay & art competitions.

Prepare to unleash your creativity and make a lasting impression in the medical world. We invite you to take part in the highly esteemed national medical essay and art competitions, held four times a year. This is your chance to showcase your unique talents, whether through captivating essays or awe-inspiring artworks. As a winner, your outstanding work will be published in the national Mentor Magazine, reaching a wide audience of prospective healthcare students across the UK. Imagine the impact of seeing your name in print, alongside other talented individuals, as your ideas and artwork inspire others on their medical journey. Participating in these competitions not only allows you to express your creativity but also provides a platform for personal growth, skill development, and increased confidence.

Join Medic Mentor For Free and start your journey!

Why is it important to participate in medical competitions.

By securing a prize in these competitions, you showcase a range of desirable qualities that are highly sought after in the medical field. Firstly, it demonstrates your ability to think critically and articulate complex ideas effectively, whether through a well-crafted essay or an impactful piece of artwork. Medical schools recognise the value of participating in extracurricular activities that go beyond academic requirements, and these competitions exemplify your passion for medicine and your commitment to personal and professional growth.

Winning a prize in these competitions highlights your dedication to research, innovation, and staying abreast of the latest developments in healthcare. It showcases your willingness to go the extra mile, delve deeper into medical topics, and contribute meaningful insights to the field. This ability to engage in research and critical analysis is an essential skill for doctors, as they are constantly challenged with solving complex medical issues and staying updated with the latest advancements.

Moreover, the recognition and publication of your work in the esteemed Mentor Magazine provide invaluable exposure and credibility. It demonstrates that your ideas and artistic creations have been acknowledged by experts in the medical community, establishing you as a promising candidate in the eyes of medical school admissions committees. These achievements speak volumes about your potential as a future doctor and your ability to make a lasting impact in the field.

Medical Essay Competition!

We are thrilled to announce our current essay competition, centered around thought-provoking topics that are shaping the landscape of modern healthcare.

Theme : Incision

Essay competition titles:

Medicine: Does surgery have an image problem? How stereotypes about surgeons affect the profession and patient care

Dental: How has the integration of lasers influenced the field of dental surgery?

Allied Health: How do healthcare students influence the operating theatre environment?

The deadline for submission is 1st August 2024 at 11:59pm, giving you ample time to craft a compelling essay that reflects your unique perspectives and critical insights. As a prospective doctor, dentist, or healthcare professional, this competition provides the perfect opportunity to enhance your reflective skills for your university application. It’s your chance to stand out and demonstrate your commitment to making a positive difference in the field of healthcare

With a maximum word count of 1500 words, including the title and subheadings, you have the freedom to delve into your chosen topic with depth and clarity. Feel free to draw upon references to support your arguments, as we value evidence-based insights. Remember, the use of personal experiences and your own thoughts is encouraged, as it adds a unique dimension to your essay.

Our expert panel will be looking for essays that deliver a powerful message, offering critical insights into the chosen topic. We value creativity, originality, and a fresh perspective. By structuring your essay with clear paragraphs and utilising appropriate headings, you can effectively present your ideas and engage readers. Please use Calibri font size 12 for the main body of text, and feel free to experiment with larger font sizes for headings to make them stand out. And remember, your references are not a part of the 1500 word count.

We eagerly await your compelling essay submissions!

Medical Art Competition!

Get ready to showcase your creative flair and make a lasting impact through the National Artwork Competition. If you possess artistic talent and a passion for healthcare, this is the perfect opportunity for you to shine. Imagine having your artwork featured on the front page of our prestigious national wider reading magazine, reaching countless healthcare enthusiasts and professionals across the country. 

The theme for our upcoming issue is “Incision, ” providing a fascinating and thought-provoking subject for you to explore and express through your artwork. We invite you to submit Artwork on ‘Incision’ for September’s front cover. Whether you prefer paintbrushes, pencils, or digital mediums, let your creativity soar as you create an A4 masterpiece that resonates with the theme. We encourage you to unleash your imagination, captivate our judges, and leave a lasting impression.

Please do not submit AI art.

The deadline for submission is 1st August 2024 at 11:59pm, giving you ample time to channel your artistic vision and produce a piece that truly embodies the essence of the theme. Don’t forget to scan your artwork at the highest possible quality to ensure its full glory is captured.

Participating in this competition is a fantastic opportunity for applying students in any healthcare-related specialty. By entering, you not only have the chance to have your artwork featured on the front cover but also to appear on the back cover, receive a certificate of recognition, and have your work showcased on the Medic Mentor website and social media platforms. It’s an incredible way to gain exposure, build your portfolio, and connect with a wide audience of healthcare professionals and enthusiasts.

Meet The Editorial Team Who Were Once Successful Medic Mentor Applicants Just Like You!

We teach 50,000 students every year and our authenticity policy mandates us to abide by the GMC’s professional code of conduct: honesty, integrity, respect and politeness.   All photos and stories are of real people.   We will never engage with false or paid for reviews on third-party review platforms.  To learn more about our  authenticity policy click here.

Chris Geddie

Editor-in-chief.

Honor Kitson

Senior medical editor.

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Senior dental editor, meet the whole editorial team, let's get that medical school, application sorted.

Medic Mentor is an all-in-one solution to your medical school application.  We bring only the best resources for tackling every single component of your medical school application to one place.  We are here to help you work efficiently, by balancing the UCAS application process alongside your school work and extracurricular activities.  One of the best ways to save you time is to direct you to the best advice and resources so that you do not have to waste time searching for them yourselves.

We know what you are going through, as doctors and medical students who were in your position!  By combining application knowledge, extracurricular opportunities, platforms to up-skill and boost confidence, it is not a surprise that Medic Mentor students are successful.  Will it be difficult? Yes, applying to medical school is not easy.  But through Medic Mentor it will be less stressful, and even fun.  Let’s get started!

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2024 WPA Medical Student Essay Competition

Home  / medical students / essay competition 2024.

The World Psychiatry Association (WPA) announces its 2024 Medical Student Essay Competition, a WPA Presidential initiative with the support of the United Nations Secretariat – Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development Goals.

The WPA invites medical students from around the world to write and submit an essay of up to 3000 words on this year’s theme: " Improving Mental Health in the Global World Using the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals ."

This competition is now closed

All Finalists and the full text of their essays will be showcased on the WPA website, spotlighting both the authors and their ideas, and the winning essay will also be translated into all six WHO official languages. The Winner will be acknowledged at the 24th World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP) in Mexico City, will receive a Travel Award to cover his/her costs of WCP travel and accommodation (up to 1500 USD), and will have his/her Congress registration fee waived.

Essay Formatting and Submission Requirements:

Please download and read  about the competition deadlines and the essay formatting and submission requirements.

Submission Deadline and Schedule:

All submissions must be made via the online submission page before midnight on May 15, 2024. We cannot accept any entries received after this date. The winners have been announced and you can read more about them here .

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School Competitions And Prizes For Aspiring Medics

Learn about all of the competitions and prizes you can enter at school to boost your Medicine application.

If you’re an aspiring medic at school, you can boost your Medicine application by entering competitions and prizes. Regardless of whether you win or not, you’ll be able to include the experience in your Personal Statement and talk about it at Med School interviews . Here are some Medicine competitions you can enter to be proactive and make your application stand out.

Imperial College London – Science in Medicine School Teams Prize

Imperial College London has three team competitions to choose from:

• The British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Prize – Submissions should focus on a topic with interactions between the cardiovascular system and the nervous system.
• The Lung Prize – Submissions can focus on any aspect of the prevention or treatment of respiratory disease.
• The Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK Prize – Submissions should focus on promoting the health and wellbeing of individuals with Scleroderma and/or Raynaud’s.

For each competition, the challenge is to design an ePoster. A team can have up to six members (they recommend assembling a team with varied interests) and schools can enter one team per prize.

The top ten shortlisted teams in each contest will be invited to present their ePosters at an online finals event. In each stream, first, second and third prizes of £3,000, £2,000 and £1,000 will be awarded to schools in order to support science-related activities.

Deadline – midnight on 30th June 2023.

University of Cambridge – Robinson College Essay Prize

The Robinson College Essay Prize is open to Year 12 students in the UK, providing an opportunity to develop and showcase independent study and writing skills. It also allows students to experience the type of work that they might be expected to do at Cambridge.

Entrants submit an essay (no more than 2,000 words) answering a question from various options. Last year, one of the possible titles was ‘Can science tell us how we should live?’. Up to three entries can be submitted per school, so you should discuss your application with your school before entering.

Five prizes are awarded, with each winner receiving book tokens to the value of £50. Winners will also be invited to Robinson College for a prize-giving ceremony.

The 2023 prize will open with more info in June.

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Medic Mentor – National Essay Competition

Medic Mentor’s National Essay Competition requires students to write an essay (up to 1,500 words) from the perspective of a medical professional.

There are essay titles available for Medicine, Dentistry , Veterinary Medicine and Allied Health .

For 2023, the essay questions are:

• Medicine – Should the patient be viewed as part of the multidisciplinary team?
• Dentistry – How can the holistic approach minimise periodontal disease in patients?
• Veterinary – What is the importance of a holistic approach when caring for livestock?
• Allied Heath – How can the multidisciplinary team optimise the care of the older person in hospital?

Deadline – midday on 1st May 2023.

Minds Underground Medicine Essay Competition

Minds Underground Medicine Essay Competition is aimed at students in Year 12, but younger students are also welcome to enter, and there are various essay title options to choose from. For the 2023 competition, one of the possible titles was ‘Should all healthcare be free? Discuss.’

The competition is designed to give students an opportunity to engage in research, hone their writing and argumentative skills, and prepare for university interviews. Minds Underground also runs essay competitions for other science subjects like Psychology and STEM.

The submission deadline is typically around March/April. Get more info here.

The Libra Essay Prize

The Libra Essay Prize is for students in Years 12 and 13 who are looking to prepare for university. Inspired by the admissions process at All Souls College, Oxford, entrants write an essay (1,500-2,000 words) responding to a single-word title.

For the 2023 prize, the single-word options were: Control, Collaboration, Exchange, Freedom, Claim.

Entrants are encouraged to use imagination in their essays to build interesting links between their chosen title and their school learning. There are prizes available of £50 for first place, £30 for second place and £20 for third place.

The deadline has varied from year-to-year: it was June in 2022 and April in 2023, so keep an eye on their website for more details.

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Medicine & the Muse Program

Links: contests.

Alpha Omega Alpha Student Essay Contest (note: Stanford has an AΩA association)

Alpha Omega Alpha Student Poetry Contest  (note: Stanford has an AΩA association)

Baylor College of Medicine DeBakey Poetry Contest

Bioethx Under 25 Daniel Callahan Young Writer’s Prize

Conley Art of Medicine Contest  (All materials must be submitted by October 25, 2019)

Conley Ethics Essay Contest  (The contest will end on September 27, 2019)

Hektoen International Writing Contests

Hippocrates Poetry and Medicine Contest

Humanism in Medicine Essay Contest from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation

Irvin David Yalom, M.D. Literary Award  (Open to Stanford students and trainees only) 

Richard Selzer Prize , Des Moines University (Medical students who submit an essay or short story of up to 5,000 words will be considered for the $1,000 Richard Selzer Prize)

Society for the Social History of Medicine Prize Essay Competition

Stanley M. Kaplan Medical Student Essay Contest

UNESCO Bioethics Arts Competition

William Carlos Williams Poetry Contest for Medical Students , Northeast Ohio Medical University

Building Trust Essay Contest

• John A. Benson Jr., MD Professionalism Article Prize
• Profiles in Professionalism
• Medical Education and Training
• Endorsements of the Charter
• Organizational Trust
• Addressing Medical Debt
• 2019 Trust Practice Challenge
• Commitment to act for health equity
• Choosing Wisely®
• 2023 Reframing Trust – A Path to Address Misinformation
• 2022 Fact or Fiction – Strategies for the Misinformation Age
• 2021 Pursuing Trust Striving for Equitable Health Care
• 2020 Building Trust & Health Equity
• 2019 [Re]Building Trust – A Path Forward
• 2018 [Re]Building Trust

In 2022, the ABIM Foundation launched the Building Trust Essay Contest to explore the diverse activities or projects that medical students are engaged in that build trust with their schools, faculty, peers, patients, and communities.

Building on the success of its first two years, the 2024 Building Trust Essay Contest expanded its scope to welcome submissions from students across all health professions, including nursing, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and others. This expansion maintains the contest’s foundational commitment to exploring and celebrating initiatives rooted in trust.

2024 Winners

• Kaveri Curlin , University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
• Ella Eisinger , Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
• Claudia Rivera Barbeito , University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
• Margaret Sorg , University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Honorable Mentions

• Melodyanne Cheng , David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
• Nitya Devisetti , Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
• Shannon Fang , Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• Meilynn Shi , Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
• Margaret Flinter, APRN, PhD, FAAN, FAANP , Senior Vice President and Clinical Director of the Moses Weitzman Health System and its Community Health Center, Inc.; member of the ABIM Foundation’s Board of Trustees
• Erica Johnson, MD, FACP , Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Disease at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center; Associate Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Medical Education for the Johns Hopkins Department of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; member of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Board of Directors and Chair of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Infectious Disease Board
• Jackie Judd , former reporter for ABC News, CBS News, NPR, and the PBS NewsHour; Secretary-Treasurer of the ABIM Foundation’s Board of Trustees; member of the Board of Directors of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation
• Elina Kurkurina, MPH , medical student at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University; winner of the 2023 Building Trust Essay Contest
• Bruce A. Leff, MD , Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Transformative Geriatric Research at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; member of the ABIM Foundation’s Board of Trustees
• Furman S. McDonald, MD, MPH , Senior Vice President for Academic and Medical Affairs at the American Board of Internal Medicine; Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania
• Shannon Scielzo, PhD , Associate Professor and the Associate Director of Education in Internal Medicine, and Evaluation and Assessment Analyst for Graduate Medical Education at the University of Texas Southwest Medical Center; member of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Rheumatology Board
• Daniel Wolfson, MHSA , former Executive Vice President and COO of the ABIM Foundation
• Molly Fessler , University of Michigan Medical School
• Isra Hasnain , The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
• Ian Jaffe , NYU Grossman School of Medicine
• Meher Kalkat , The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Elina Kurkurina , Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
• Christopher Montgomery , UCSF School of Medicine
• Maria L. Belalcazar, MD , Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Texas Medical Branch
• Marianne M. Green, MD, FACP , Vice Dean for Education, Raymond H. Curry MD Professor of Medical Education, and Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
• Lorna A. Lynn, MD , Vice President of Medical Education Research at the American Board of Internal Medicine
• Furman S. McDonald, MD, MPH , Senior Vice President for Academic and Medical Affairs at the American Board of Internal Medicine
• David Reuben, MD , Director, Multicampus Program in Geriatrics Medicine and Gerontology and Chief, Division of Geriatrics at UCLA
• Annelise Silva , AMSA National President-elect, medical student at Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine
• Rohini Siva , AMSA National President, 4th year medical student at Eastern Virginia Medical School
• Daniel Wolfson, MHSA , Executive Vice President and COO of the ABIM Foundation
• Teva Brender , Oregon Health & Sciences University
• Howard Chang , THe Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Sunil Joshi , Oregon Health & Sciences University
• Meher Kalkat , The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
• Clarice Douille , Creighton University School of Medicine
• Veenadhari Kollipara , Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine
• Paul Lewis , Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
• Armaan Ahmen Rowther, PhD , The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Suman Vadlamani , UT Southwestern Medical School
• Nicholas Wilson , Morehouse School of Medicine
• Andres Diaz , Editor of AMSA’s  The New Physician , MD/PhD student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson
• Shan Jin , AMSA Academy Chair, a third-year medical student at the NYIT College Of Osteopathic Medicine
• David Reuben, MD , Director, Multicampus Program in Geriatrics Medicine and Gerontology and Chief, Division of Geriatrics at UCL
• Michael Walls, DO, MPH , AMSA National President, graduate of Touro University California

Content links

Dr. Hope Babette Tang Humanism in Healthcare Essay Contest

• Eligibility, Selection Criteria, and Process
• Past Winners
• Essay Reviewers

The annual Dr. Hope Babette Tang Humanism in Healthcare Essay Contest asks medical and nursing students to engage in a reflective writing exercise that illustrates an experience where they or a healthcare team member (doctors, nurses, therapists, social workers, pharmacists, patients and families, etc.) worked to ensure that humanism was at the core of care. Submissions that touch upon students’ personal experiences of humanistic care or stories of family and friends are also accepted.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Dr. Hope Babette Tang Humanism in Healthcare Essay Contest! Read the full announcement here.

First-, second-, and third-place essays for both nursing and medical students are chosen by a panel including healthcare professionals, writers/journalists, and educators.

Winners receive monetary awards of $1000, $500 and $250, respectively, and their essays are published in Academic Medicine and The Journal of Professional Nursing in the fall.

For details, visit  Eligibility, Selection Criteria, and Process.

Contact our Staff:

• Michelle Sloane, MPA mail_outline

Who was Dr. Hope Babette Tang?

The essay contest is named in memory of Hope Babette Tang, MD, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and the Pediatric Medical Director of the hospital’s HIV clinic until her death in 1998 at age 36. Dr. Tang’s patients were often facing numerous obstacles on top of their devastating medical challenges, which made healing even more difficult. Her mantra in caring for her patients was “Whatever it takes.” Her approach meant she saw the person in front of her, not just their medical situation. Many of her acts of caring only came to be known after her death. She treated the whole patient, a hallmark of humanistic care.

2024 Medical Student Winners

First Place | “A Drop of a Person” Caterina Florissi Harvard Medical School

Second Place | “Apartment 5 on Dolphin Drive” Noor Ahmed Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine at Seton Hill University

Third Place | “A Place for Grief” Danielle Collins Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

2024 Nursing Student Winners

First Place | “Baby J’s Song” Hailey Sommerfeld University pf Utah College of Nursing

Second Place | “The Cat” Megan McDowell Brenau University

Third Place | “A Quiet Place” Erin Bowdish The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San Jose State University

Read the full announcement of the 2024 winners.

2024 Dr. Hope Babette Tang Humanism in Healthcare Essay Contest Prompt

Students were asked to use the following quote to reflect on an experience in any healthcare setting where they or another healthcare team member worked to put the person at the center of care.

“The practice of medicine is an art, not a trade; a calling, not a business; a calling in which your heart will be exercised equally with your head.” — William Osler

Hear past essay winners read and share about their essay through the Gold Connection Podcast

For more information about the Gold Foundation programs or their status, please contact Director of Program Initiatives Michelle Sloane at [email protected] .

Medical School Expert

Medicine Essay Prizes (7 Competitions For Year 12 and 13’s)

Every article is fact-checked by a medical professional. However, inaccuracies may still persist.

Having a medical essay prize on your CV looks absolutely fantastic when it comes time for you to apply to medical school.

In such an overcrowded marketplace, anything that sets you apart from the crowd in a positive manner is sure to drastically increase your chances of getting an offer.

Although when I was applying to medical school I hadn’t managed to win an essay competition (despite my best efforts!) hopefully you’ll have more luck than me!

To save you some research time, I’ve compiled a list of 7 medicine essay competitions that you can enter this year.

Competitions that if you win will skyrocket your chances of application success.

INCLUDED IN THIS GUIDE:

The Libra Essay Prize

The Libra essay prize is an annual essay prize for all students in years 12 and 13 looking to prepare for university.

Libra Education themselves describe it as:

“An excellent way for 6th-form students to demonstrate that they have the makings of a scholar, the Libra Essay Prize offers a chance to prepare for the academic rigour required by university assignments and provides a great accomplishment to discuss on a personal statement or at an interview.”

Students are free to choose any subject from a list of categories (one of which being science) and then have to write an essay with a title containing a chosen word.

The small pool of words you can choose from change each year but are all generally quite abstract so you can connect and use them in creative ways.

The essay has to be between 1,500 – 2,000 words, with Harvard style referencing which isn’t included in the word count.

Libra accept entries from all over the world, but the essays must be written in English.

First prize wins £50, second prize £30, and third £20, all paid out in book vouchers. There’s also Commended and Highly Commended entries for each category.

Minds Underground Essay Competition

Minds Underground is an online learning platform, designed to support and enhance the learning and problem-solving of determined young students.

Every year they run a medicine essay competition, primarily aimed at year 12’s (although they do say younger or older students are also welcome to apply).

To enter, you have a choice of three questions, to which you need to write a 1,000 – 1,500 word answer.

“Should all healthcare be free? Discuss.” “What goes wrong for cancers to develop?” “Tell us about a key development/invention that you think has been most influential to medicine.” – Past Minds Underground medicine essay questions

If you’re feeling ambitious, students are permitted to enter an essay for more than one subject- so you could have a crack at the psychology or science one too!

Helpfully, under each question Minds also give you a few pointers to get your creative juices flowing.

Newnham Essay Prizes

Newnham College of the University of Cambridge runs a medicine essay competition with a twist:

Only female students are allowed to enter.

Again, students have a choice of three differing questions.

For example, the questions in the 2021-22 competition were:

• How realistic is it to develop a small molecule therapy for Covid-19? Could such a therapy be rolled out in a timeframe that it could have an impact on the current pandemic?
• Sleep deprivation in clinical health settings. Does it matter?
• Looking to the future. Will stem cell therapies be outpaced by machine-brain interfaces for the treatment of retinal disease?

Newnham do give you a bit more of a range when it comes to the word count, accepting anything from 1,500 to 2,500 words.

There’s a generous £400 prize for first place, £200 for second and £100 for third.

Unfortunately for you as an individual though, prize money is split 50:50 between the essay prize winner and the funding of resources for their school…

John Locke Institute Essay Competition

“The John Locke Institute encourages young people to cultivate the characteristics that turn good students into great writers: independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis and persuasive style. “

The John Locke Institute arguably gives away the most generous prize out of any competition on this list.

You get a scholarship worth $2,000 towards the cost of attending any John Locke Institute program, as well as an invitation to their prize-giving ceremony in Oxford.

The essay questions for each subject are published in January, with the deadline for submission generally being in late June.

As well as the opportunity to secure the prize for medicine, the candidate who submits the best essay overall will be awarded an honorary John Locke Institute Junior Fellowship- which comes with a $10,000 scholarship to attend one or more of their courses!

American Society Of Human Genetics Essay Contest

Although this next essay competition comes from America, it’s open to students worldwide.

The American Society Of Human Genetics supports national DNA day through its annual DNA day essay contest: commemorating the completion of the Human Genome Project in April 2003 and the discovery of the double helix of DNA in 1953.

The contest is open to students in grades 9-12 worldwide and asks students to “examine, question, and reflect on important concepts in genetics.”

With a limit of only 750 words, not including reference lists, this is a short but sweet chance to bag yourself a considerable cash prize for your efforts.

In addition to the personal prize money, the ASHG will also provide you with a $1,000 grant towards genetics research or teaching materials.

Although it is a worldwide contest, so undoubtedly will have plenty of entries, there are also 10 honorable mentions up for grabs (in addition to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place) that all come with a $100 prize too.

Immerse Education Essay Competition

Immerse Education run summer programs for over 20 different subjects in Oxford, Cambridge, London and Sydney.

The reason why students get so much value from these courses is because they’re immersed in centers of academic excellence whilst learning from experts in their chosen field.

The good news for you is that their essay competition gives you the chance to attend one of their summer school programs for free.

10 winners receive a 100% scholarship and runners up are awarded partial scholarships of up to 50% to study their chosen subject.

According to Immerse, around 7% of entrants receive scholarship funding to attend a program- which is pretty good odds if you ask me!

“There is no downside to entering the competition. If you win, it is awesome. If you don’t win, you gained an experience. Entering the competition and working as hard as I did for it was one of the most gratifying experiences.” – Pedro L (100% scholarship winner)

You can find the full list of essay questions, in addition to top tips for writing academic essays (as well as the terms and conditions for the competition), simply by signing up via Immerse’s website.

The RCSU Science Challenge

The Royal College of Science Union (RCSU) is a student union at Imperial College London and run an annual science challenge open to both home and international school students.

The focus of the challenge is communicating scientific concepts in a non-technical manner, so that people without a science background could still understand and enjoy the content.

The big twist with this essay competition is that you don’t actually have to enter an essay!

The idea is to produce a ‘short piece of science communication’ which can be an essay or can be a short video in answer to one of the four questions set by the judges.

Written entries must be less than 1,000 words, whilst video entries must be less than 3 minutes and 30 seconds long.

For this competition, it’s really all about short and snappy responses that will captivate the reader whilst answering the question in a precise but easy to understand manner.

We hope to inspire those who take part in the Science Challenge to explore, develop and use their scientific skills along with their passion for their corner of science to help others see what all the excitement is about.

Why You Should Enter Medicine Essay Competitions

I think it’s fair to say that competition to get into medical school in the UK is insanely high- and it’s only getting worse.

With such large numbers of incredibly qualified candidates, medical schools have to find some way of differentiating them.

One way to make it easy for a university to pick you is to stand out from the crowd by having a medical essay prize on your application.

An essay prize demonstrates your dedication to the subject, scientific knowledge and an ability to write expressively and persuasively- all ideal qualities when it comes to being a doctor.

You may surprise yourself.

Often, not as many people as you might think enter these competitions.

Simply by writing the essay, you’re also going to greatly increase your knowledge about that particular topic, which can still come in really handy at interview.

Even if you don’t win, just discussing the fact you entered still looks good in the eyes of an interviewer.

It shows that you’re willing to go above and beyond your school curriculum, to explore subjects you’re interested in and that you’re a highly motivated candidate.

How To Increase Your Chances Of Winning An Essay Prize

Although when I was applying to medical school I didn’t manage to win an essay prize, there are a couple of things I did that would have greatly increased my chances of doing so.

First and foremost, I think you’ve got to cast your net wide.

Don’t limit yourself to just one shot at the target: if you’ve got the time then I’d recommend trying to enter at least a couple of different competitions.

More entries will mean more chances for you to have your essay officially recognised.

Secondly, if you have the choice between entering a local or national competition, I’d always go with the local one.

Although a national prize would look slightly better on your CV, simply due to the number of entries, you’ll have a much higher chance of winning the more local competition.

By local I mean this could be a more regional charity, nearby hospital or university, or even your school.

Even better yet, you could always enter both!

Lastly, I think one of the best ways you can increase your odds of winning a prize is by entering a competition around a topic that you’re genuinely passionate about.

If you’ve no interest in genetics, then I wouldn’t enter the American Society Of Human Genetics’ contest!

Your interest in the subject will come through in your language, depth of knowledge and motivation to go above and beyond for your essay- all of which will put you in a much better position for winning.

Where You Can Find Further Essay Competitions

In addition to the essay prizes described above, there are tonnes of other opportunities available for you to distinguish yourself as a medicine applicant.

Loads of the Royal Colleges run an ever changing variety of prizes and competitions, usually to encourage interest in their specialty.

The opening dates and deadlines for these prizes are always changing so it’s worth keeping an eye out for the perfect essay question or new prize that’s just been announced.

Some of these organisations that run their own competitions include:

• The Royal Society of Medicine
• Royal College of Emergency Medicine
• British Orthopaedic Association
• British Society for Haematology
• Royal College of Pathologists
• Royal College of Psychiatrists
• British Association of Dermatologists

But there are many more out there. If you have a particular interest in one specialty or area of science then I’d definitely recommend doing a bit of digging to see if there’s a society or organisation related to that field that runs their own competitions!

Final Thoughts

There really aren’t many downsides to entering one of these competitions.

You get a shot at winning, gain a talking point at interview and develop your scientific knowledge (not to mention technical writing skills).

Although you might feel that some of the smaller prizes aren’t worth your time and effort to write the essay, the real value comes from the boost one of these prizes would give your medicine application.

What UCAT Score Is Needed For Medicine? (UK Specific)

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Convert your interviews into offers

Learn the best ways of turning your upcoming interviews into medicine offers here.

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Essay competitions, awards and prizes

If you have a flair for essay writing, then look out for competitions run by the Royal Colleges and many other professional medical associations, usually to encourage interest in their specialty. Closing dates for submission fall throughout the year so keep your eyes open!

Some organisations that run competitions include:

British Association of Dermatologists

• British Association of Forensic Medicine
• General Medical Council
• Medical Women’s Federation
• Pain Relief Foundation
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists
• Royal College of Pathologists
• Royal College of General Practitioners
• Royal College of Radiologists
• Royal Society of Medicine (for members only, costs £25 a year to join)
• Institute of Medical Ethics (for F1 & F2 UK doctors)

Project Funding

Some organisations and Trusts offer funding for research projects, vacation research work experience and intercalated degree year research. We’ve compiled a list of these, again it isn’t exhaustive so we do encourage further research.

Some of these applications may require a supporting statement from a member of academic staff. Check criteria carefully before applying.

The Biochemical Society

Grants are available for stipends of £200 per week for 6 – 8 weeks, and up to £1,600 in total, to support a summer placement in a lab for an undergraduate student. Applications must be made on behalf of and in association with a named student.

Website: www.biochemistry.org Email: [email protected]

The British Association of Dermatologists offer a range of awards between £250 and £3,000 towards fees and living expenses for an intercalated year project related to dermatology and skin biology. It also offers £500 undergraduate project grants.

Website: www.bad.org.uk Email: [email protected]

Association for the Study of Medical Education

The Association for the Study of Medical Education offers awards related to the development of excellent medical education. Applications are welcomed from anyone on the continuum of medical education (UG, PG or qualified and studying professional development) and will be assessed against their criteria. They also have a number of other essay prizes available and awards so it is worth researching their website.

Tel: 0131 225 9111 Website: www.asme.org.uk Email: [email protected]

The Genetics Society

The Genetics Society Summer Studentship scheme offers grants of up to £3,000 for undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience in any area of genetics by carrying out a research project over the long vacation ( more information ). They also have a range of competitions and awards that you can look into on their website.

Website: https://genetics.org.uk/grants/summer-studentships/  Email: [email protected]

The Institute of Medical Ethics

The Institute of Medical Ethics (IME) offers grants, student elective bursaries, and scholarships (covering the next academic year) for students wishing to do an intercalated degree in medical ethics or an allied subject.

Website: https://ime-uk.org/grants-and-competitions/ 

The Physiological Society

Vacation Studentships offer undergraduates the opportunity to undertake a research project on an area of physiology over their summer break. Working under an academic supervisor, they can get to experience day-to-day life in the laboratory first-hand. Funding of £150 a week, to cover living costs, is on offer for up to eight weeks.

Website: www.physoc.org Email: [email protected]

The Pathological Society

Funding for students wanting to intercalate a BSc in Pathology but who do not have LEA or other government support. Also offer awards to fund electives and vacation studies in pathology.

Website: www.pathsoc.org

The Paget’s Association

The Paget’s Association awards Student Research Bursaries of up to £6,000 to promising UK medical or science students (MRes, MSc, BSc or equivalent higher degree) to pursue research into any aspects of Paget’s Disease of Bone.

Tel: 0161 799 4646 Website

Other resources

The list above is not exhaustive so we do encourage further research.

A good place to start is RD Learning , a database of health-related research funding opportunities.

Please contact us if you notice any broken links, of any other funding opportunities or if any options are no longer running.

• Dec 11, 2018

Demystified: Essay competitions

Entering an essay competition may not be the first thing you think of whilst in medical school. You come home exhausted from lectures, or being used as a doorstop on placement and all you want to do is stare mindlessly at Netflix.

But essay competitions are surprisingly fun and easy - with the added reward of a possible cash prize and a bump on your CV. Medical students are open to a wide range of essay competitions and not only are they not as competitive as one might initially think, they also give you the opportunity to improve upon your writing, research and critical analysis skills. If you enjoy writing or are interested in a certain area of medicine, or perhaps just want to bulk up your CV a bit, you might want to enter an essay competition.

You can find a list of websites which hold annual essay competitions for UK medical students here . This is by no means a comprehensive list. Almost every medical society will offer essay competitions: Google is your friend.

How do I decide which competition to enter?

1. There are typically two types of essay competitions you can enter.

The first type require you to ‘ discuss ,’ ‘ explore ’ or ‘ argue ’ a statement. This requires you to first read through the literature to gain knowledge and understanding of the topic, and then to use your critical analysis skills to argue your point for or against the statement.

The second type of essay prize is more clinical in nature. These essays may ask you to write about your experiences in certain specialties or to offer a suggestion about how you think a certain specialty could be improved, or perhaps may change in the next decade. These essays tend to require more original and creative thought and some students may find these easier.

2. How much time you are willing to spend researching and writing your essay?

Most people make this judgement based on the value of the essay prize. For example, you might be willing to spend more time writing an essay for a competition that offers a prize of £1000 compared to one that offers £300. Remember, whichever prize you win, they will both look good on your CV.

The other main factor which will determine how much time you spend upon your essay will be the word count. This will give you a general idea of the amount of depth and research that will be expected from you. On the other hand, some people may struggle with smaller word counts as it can be difficult to condense your writing and still make it good.

How do I start planning my essay?

So, you’ve found an essay competition which you want to enter and are ready to go. Before you start, you should consider making a rough outline of what your essay will cover and how it will start and finish. This may be difficult if you are writing about a topic which you first need to research, in which case you may wish to go back to your framework and build upon it as your research expands. It is always best to start with a basic framework which you can then build upon.

As with any essay, it is best to start with a Introduction , Main Body and Conclusion .

Your introduction should contain a brief synopsis of what your essay is planning to cover, or perhaps a question which it aims to answer. A short , succinct and thought-provoking introduction is always best; this is how you grip your readers’ interest. Some people prefer to write their introduction once they have finished the rest of their essay. You can expand upon what your main body will contain once you do some reading. Your conclusion , as with your introduction, needs to be short and concise. It should condense the main points of your essay into a way that is easy for the reader to read and understand. You could end on a question or suggestion of where you think this topic should go next, or what you think the future holds.

Once you have this basic Introduction -> Main Body -> Conclusion framework, you may wish to jot down some ideas that instantly come into your head when you read the essay title . Essay titles as a whole tend to be stimulating and emotive; they ask for an argument or a point of view from the writer. Undoubtedly when you first read the essay title, hundreds of thoughts will race through your mind about what you could write about and how you feel about this topic. Write them all down on a blank piece of paper. This will help you later both when you start researching your essay and when you start writing it. An example of this framework with ideas pre-research can be found at the end.

Lastly, remember to read the essay title. If it asks you to discuss certain topics, then only discuss those. If it asks you to argue, use your skills or critical analysis to argue your point across. Do not go into unchartered territories and lose your foundation.

How do I research my essay?

Every person is different when it comes to writing essays. This brief outline is just a way to get you started if you are struggling or haven’t written an essay in a long time. Do what works best for you.

Many people write their essays using this approach:

Basic Framework & Ideas (click here for a detailed example.)

Edit/clarify direction of essay based on research

Condense research accordingly into set topics for Main Body

Write, argue and analyse

1. Research

Before you write an essay you need to know what you’re writing about. This is particularly relevant if you are offering an an opinion, argument or commentary. Your Essay Title will cover a specific topic. e.g. instead of the Management of Mood Disorders, it may specifically ask you about ECT. If it does open up a very general and wide-ranging topic, it is best to choose one specific area rather than try to cover everything: depth over breadth. This will also help to condense your research. It is easy to begin researching one thing and then end up in a completely different direction. It’s helpful to continually look back at your essay title throughout your research to keep you grounded.

Firstly, choose the area of interest which you will be researching. This may be given by the essay title (e.g. specifically around ECT) or one that you need to think of if the essay is particularly broad. Try to think of something that genuinely interests you; this will make your writing come across as more passionate and you will find it easier to research your essay and later write it.

Secondly, you want to get an idea of the recent debate around your area of interest. What do academics think about this? Have there been any recent controversies? Some people find it helpful to start by looking into systematic or literature reviews to get a general idea before diving deeper.

For most clinical and scientific essays, the databases listed below should help you find what you need. You should be able to gain access through an OpenAthens account provided by your medical school. If not, you can go to the librarian in one of your university libraries and ask about getting access to these databases.

Examples of Databases for Research

1. Cochrane Library (good for systematic reviews)

4. NHS Evidence

5. PsychINFO (good for Psychiatry/Psychology essays)

8. Web of Science

Once you’ve searched your topic in a couple of the databases, you will find numerous articles appear. One of the important skills that essay writing teaches you is how to sift through research to find what you need. You can do this by narrowing your search skills e.g. only for certain topics, or by sifting through abstracts and identifying the articles that are relevant from the ones which are not. At times you may come across a journal article which offers a new perspective or information which you wish to learn more about or are particularly interested in. In this case, references from that particular article can be very useful.

You’ve now found some articles related to your topic. You’ve read these articles and have found some themes emerging. You are beginning to get your own ideas about what your essay should be about and the direction it will take. Perhaps reading one of the articles has made you particularly passionate about a certain point of view. Start making a list of these themes and your thoughts around them. Also make sure you keep a note of the articles in a separate document; this will help with references later.

2. Edit/clarify direction of essay based on research

You’ve got some information together and hopefully are beginning to get an idea of what your essay will look like. Now, have a read through all the information you’ve gathered and you will begin to see the direction that your essay is taking. You can almost see your essay growing in front of your eyes. Hopefully you’ll feel a bit more confident now in writing your essay.

Remember that basic framework you created at the beginning? You might find it helpful to add into the Main Body what themes you intend to cover. For example, for the essay about ECT:

Main Body - What is ECT? Cover history & clinicians accounts based on books.

- Why is ECT so stigmatised? Talk about Media (give examples of One Flew over the Cuckoo Nest), lack of public knowledge - mention survey around public’s attitudes to ECT.

- Why do we still use ECT? Covers statistics, effectiveness compared to other treatment options.

- Past or Future? ECT as one of the best treatments in Psychiatry.

3. Start writing your essay.

Some people find it helpful to write for each theme separately using the research they have collated, and then bring all these themes together to flow nicely into an essay. This way you are breaking your essay down into manageable chunks.

Remember, don’t just copy and paste the information you have gathered from research articles. Not only is this plagiarism, it is also unlikely to get you that essay prize. Instead, think about the research you have read - what are some of the arguments against what you’re writing? Can you think of the flaws in your own arguments? Where has this research come from? Is it backed up with evidence or is it just someone’s opinion? What makes this person’s opinion more important than anyone else’s? This type of critical analysis is what makes a good essay.

To wrap this guide up: what makes a good essay?

Answers the question/title - does not go off tangent.

Wide range of research using literature/systematic reviews, original research and academic commentaries - clear understanding of the topic.

Offers an opinion or argument i.e. not just descriptive.

Critical analysis: Suggests how current research is flawed, problems with current ways of thinking etc.

Creative/Original thought: Offers a new perspective, not just based on research. Offers insight into what the future may look like, what needs to change.

For a list of essay competitions targeted towards medical students, click here .

For our example framework (and initial ideas) of an essay, click here .

Article by Dr Gunjan Sharma; prizewinner of: 1. Royal Society of Medicine Student & Trainee Prize, Psychiatry Section 2016-2017 2. Medical Student Prize of the Faculty of Spiritual Psychiatry of the Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016 3. Medical Student Essay Prize of the Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry of the Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016 4. Careif Suicide Prevention Essay Prize 2014

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• Get involved

RSTMH Student Essay Competition

RSTMH aims to support our members, Fellows and wider networks from the very start of their Careers. Our Student Essay Competition invites students to explore a wide range of challenging and interesting topics of global health and tropical medicine each year.  

2024 RSTMH Student Essay Competition: How could the use of AI improve global health outcomes in LMICs?

The RSTMH Student Essay Competition is open for applications. The essay topic this year is “How could the use of AI improve global health outcomes in LMICs?”.

The Competition is for students studying global health as a degree, or any degree with a component of global health or medicine. It is open to current, full-time, students, based anywhere in the world. Evidence of student status must be provided at the point of submission.

The essay should clearly set out your personal perspective and specific view, with evidence to back up your choice. The essay must demonstrate a combination of scholarship, original thought, and analysis.

The essay should be submitted by 12:00pm BST  21 August 2024

Submit your application here 

Length: The essay should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words, excluding references, footnotes, and tables. A 150–200-word summary should also be submitted together with the essay. Please note that if the summary is omitted; the essay will not be considered.

References: All sources must be appropriately acknowledged using references numbered in the order in which they appear in the text with brackets e.g. (2) For reference 2. References do not count as part of the word count.

Format and presentation: The essay must be in English. Please try and organise the essay into a logical succession of headed sections, where possible. Only one essay per person can be submitted.

Originality: The essay should be entirely your own original work and should not have been previously published.  The use of AI is not permitted.  All essays will be checked for plagiarism, and we encourage you to refer to an academic writing handbook such as this one produced by LSHTM for guidance .

The winner(s) will be decided by the RSTMH Education and Training Committee.  Highly commended essays may also be selected. The decision of the Committee is final.

The panel will be assessing essays using the following criteria

• How well your personal perspective links to the national or international landscape
• How well structured the essay is
• How easy the essay is to understand
• The evidence basis for your essay, including how you make use of relevant references
• How much the essay inspires or engages the reader

The prize for the winning essay is £200, plus a year's free student membership to RSTMH, either new or a renewal. We will also invite the winner to be presented with a certificate and their prize fund at an RSTMH event in 2024.

Announcements

We may publish, on our website or in our newsletter, anonymized data relating to submissions to the competition. We will announce the winners name and essay title, plus that of any highly commended submissions on our website and through other communication channels. We may publish submitted essays on the RSTMH website and through our other communications channels. We may publish the winning essay in our scientific journal and on our website. By submitting an essay, you agree to these conditions.

Previous winners

2023 Zoe Raw, the University of Bristol, 'Pandemic Planet: The Terrifying Ascent of Zoonotic Diseases in an Overpopulated, Warming World during the Anthropocene’

2022 Hannah Lin, Cambridge University, "The Collateral of Conflict: The Effects of War on Health At Home and Away"

2021 K.M. Pavani Senarathne, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, "Burden of a "universal" healthcare system: The story of a common man from Sri Lanka"

2020 Mark Tan, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, "COVID-19 In An Inequitable World: The Last, The Lost, and The Least"

2019 Anouk de Cort, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, "The hidden clinical picture of climate change"

2018 Matthew Spencer, University College London

Entries Open: Medical Student Essay Prize

Attention all UK Medical Students!

We are thrilled to announce that entries are now open for the BSPRM Medical Student's Essay Prize.

The winner of the prize will receive £250 and will also have a prestigious platform to showcase their innovative ideas in the medical field.

To read the award criteria and to submit your entry, please click HERE.

Entries will close on 2 September 2024

Best of Luck!

Medical Student Essay Award

Description.

Created to honor outstanding academic promise

Tips for Nominations

Submission by student to annual essay contest

Award Benefits for 2024 Award

• Complimentary registration for 2024 AAP Annual Meeting
• Up to $1,000 reimbursement for 2024 Annual Meeting-related travel and meal expenses
• Essay presented as e-poster at 2024 Annual Meeting

2023 1st Place: Brian R. Smith, Stanford University 2nd Place: Isabel Draper, Baylor College of Medicine 3rd Place: Serra Sozen, University of Vermont College of Medicine

2022 1st Place: William Thomas (Tommy) Baumel, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine 2nd Place: Eun Jin (Gloria) Yu, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA 3rd Place: Brittany Perry, University of South Florida College of Medicine

2021 1st Place: Sahana Nazeer, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine 2nd Place: Chloe Malava, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College 3rd Place: Mollie Marr, Oregon Health Sciences University 4th Place: Edward Tie, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University

2020 1st Place: Jeff Jin, McGovern Medical School 2nd Place: Nicole Hadler, University of Michigan Medical School 3rd Place: David Jevotovsky, NYU Grossman School of Medicine

2019 Alan Elbaum, University of California - San Francisco

Your award includes complimentary registration for the AAP Annual Meeting, and up to $1,000 reimbursement for meeting-related travel and meal expenses.

The theme is: The Art of Communication in Psychiatry: Connecting with the Patient.

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2024 MEDICAL STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST ARE NOW CLOSED. 

Submission Requirements The contest is open to any student who is both currently enrolled in an accredited medical school (US, Canada, or anywhere in the world) and will be enrolled at the time of the Annual Meeting September 11 - 14, 2024. The work must be an original unpublished essay of 1,000 words or less . Due to an overwhelming response, ONLY ONE SUBMISSION PER STUDENT WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The top essay may be considered for publication in the Academic Psychiatry Journal in "The Learners' Voice" section. Essay winner does not guarantee publication in the Academic Psychiatry Journal . Please review the publication criteria when writing your essay here . Refer to MANUSCRIPT TYPE & GUIDELINES #8 The Learners' Voice.

Essays should be submitted electronically through the JOYN Awards Portal by clicking the link below. Please include a cover page with the following information:

• Student’s Name
• Name of Medical School where enrolled, year in school
• Mailing Address, Phone Number, Email Address

Selection Criteria

Judges will be blinded to the participant and affiliated medical school. Judging will be based on originality, uniqueness, flow of thought, and appropriateness to the theme.

Thank you for your interest. 

The AAP Abstract and Award Submission Portal for the 2024 Medical Student Essay IS NOW CLOSED. Submissions for the 2025 Medical Student Essay will open January 1, 2025.

For QUESTIONS ONLY, contact James Haliburton, MD, Medical Student Essay Subcommittee Chair, at [email protected] . All essay submissions must be made through the Award portal.

Cancer Unwrapped, our national teen writing contest is an opportunity for teens to share their experience with cancer – whether it’s a personal diagnosis or that of a loved one.

We’ve announced our 2024 winners! Click below to read the winning essays. 

About our teen writing contest.

Learning about a cancer diagnosis – your own or that of a loved one – can cause a storm of emotions, and everyone experiences it differently. We want to know what this experience was like for you.

Did you feel angry, sad, lonely, or maybe something you didn’t expect? What happened in your life, and did it change you or your perspectives?

We invite you to submit a short essay about your experience with cancer for the opportunity to win cash prizes. Since the contest began in 2006, we have received over 8,100 submissions and handed out over $300,000 in prize money to teens.

Over the years we have received stories of triumph and stories of great loss, stories written in times of turbulence, and stories written in times of quiet reflection. Each one has been honest, heartfelt, and unique.

Winning Essays

• Quotes from Contest Winners
• Tips & Tools for Writing
• Support Groups

Listen to a teen read her winning essay on our podcast:

Contest eligibility & guidelines.

• Open to teens in the United States in grades 9-12
• Essay length should not exceed 1,500 words.
• Not eligible: poems, essays about a pet, or fiction
• Essays must be original content of the author and in their own voice
• Cash prizes of $1,000 will be awarded to the winners (winners will be asked to fill out a IRS W-9 form).
• Winners will be invited to a virtual reception and asked to read their essays

Judging Process

Tips for writing.

Check out some online communities, resources, tips, and tools to help you tell your story.

Every year, we read incredible stories written by teens from all over the country about their experiences with cancer. We have compiled them here to share with you. 

Our $1000 cash awards are made possible through the generosity of several major donors: The Lucky Seven Foundation, Sally Nordstrom

Connect with us!

Paige Hansen-Shankar Program Manager, Teen Writing Contest [email protected]

ENGLISH  |  ESPAÑOL

AZ529 2024 Essay Writing Contest

Dream. Write. Win.

Your 5th or 6th grader could win $529 towards an AZ529 Education Savings Plan.

CONTEST RULES

CONTEST IS OPEN AUGUST 26 THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2024.

Tell us how you’d make the world a better place.

For the fifth year, Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee and the AZ529 Education Savings Plan are hosting an essay contest for kids. The 2024 Essay Writing Contest invites Arizona 5th and 6th graders to submit essays explaining their dream job and the steps they’ll take to reach it. Winners will receive $529 toward an AZ529 Education Savings Plan to fund their future educational aspirations!

Contest Details

All current 5th and 6th grade students in Arizona, including students from district, charter, private schools, tribal schools, and homeschools.

Answer the question, “What is your dream job and how do you plan on achieving it in the future?” Responses should be a minimum of three (3) paragraphs with a maximum of 350 words. The more creative, unique, and thought-provoking the better!

Entries will be accepted through October 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM (MST).

Online: Essays can be submitted online at AZ529.gov/EssayContest using the upload button on this page. (Accepted file types: Microsoft Word, PDF, JPG and JPEG. Max. file size: 256 MB).

Or you can mail entries to: 5th and 6th Grade Essay Writing Contest Attention: Jeffrey O. Office of the State Treasurer 1700 West Washington Street, #102 Phoenix, AZ 85007

Because winning $529 towards a new or existing AZ529 Education Savings Plan is an incredible way to launch your 5th or 6th grader’s future!

Twenty (20) prizes, each in the amount of $529, will be awarded towards a new or existing AZ529 Education Savings Plan. Winners will be selected from each of Arizona’s 15 counties and there will also be winners representing all types of schools, including students from district, charter, private schools, tribal schools, and homeschools. We’re excited to help 20 young writers start saving for their educational plans beyond high school!

Official Contest Rules

One (1) original entry per person.

HOW TO ENTER:

Online: Upload entries using the “Upload Here” button on this page. (Accepted file types: Microsoft Word, PDF, JPG and JPEG. Max. file size: 256 MB).

All entries must be received by October 6, 2024 at 11:59 PM (MST).

JUDGING CRITERIA:

• Entries will be judged and scored by a panel of judges, including representatives of the AZ529 Plan Advisory Committee.
• Entries will be anonymously judged based on a scoring rubric of: 40 percent for overall content, 30 percent for originality, and 30 percent for organization. Any ties will be broken based on an additional score for overall readability and grammar.
• Judges will also ensure that a student is selected from each of the five (5) main types of schools in Arizona: district, charter, private schools, tribal schools, or homeschools.

ELIGIBILITY: All participants must be Arizona residents, currently enrolled in 5th or 6th grade as of August 2024 in an Arizona school. The parent or legal guardian submitting an entry on behalf of the minor must also be an Arizona resident. Employees and families of the Arizona State Treasurer’s Office and Davidson Belluso are not eligible to win.

PRIZES: Twenty (20) awards, each in the amount of $529, will be awarded toward an AZ529 Education Savings Plan, across Arizona. All prizes will be conveyed through a direct contribution to a new or existing AZ529 account in the name of the winner or their parent/guardian. No cash prizes will be awarded.

WINNER SELECTION/VERIFICATION: Winners and their parents/guardians will be notified by phone and/or email after the close of the contest and completion of judging. To receive AZ529 funds, parents/guardians must submit verification of an open AZ529 account within 90 days after the award notification. If verification is not completed within 90 days of the notification, the prize will be forfeited.

AGREEMENT TO THE OFFICIAL RULES: By participating in the Contest, each Entrant fully and unconditionally agrees to accept these Official Rules and the decision of the sponsor and judges which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. No purchase necessary to enter or win.

AGREEMENT TO USE OF CONTENT: By submitting an entry, each participant (and their parent or legal guardian) agrees to allow The Office of the Arizona State Treasurer , AZ529, Arizona’s Education Savings Plan and its agents to use the content of each essay. Verbiage from selected essays may be shared online or in print for marketing purposes, either in full or in excerpts. The child’s last name will not be shared or posted online or in a social message but may be used in news releases or media coverage. Further, by submitting an entry, a parent or legal guardian agrees to allow AZ529 to use their own or their child’s likeness, photograph(s), video, voice, or name without costs of advertising, publicity, social media, or any other lawful purpose in any medium now known or hereafter, without any review or approval.

DISCLOSURE OF SPONSORS: The AZ529 Education Savings Plan is managed by The Office of the Arizona State Treasurer . Approved AZ529 Plan providers include Fidelity and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. This contest is being managed by Davidson Belluso, marketing partner of the Arizona Education Savings Plan.

TAX LIABILITY: The Sponsors and their agents make no representations as to the tax liability or deductibility of a prize. Each participant (and their parent or legal guardian) shall be solely responsible for filing and paying any taxes arising from the receipt of a prize.

Who will judge?

The 20 winners will be declared by a panel of judges from the AZ529 Advisory Committee. The panel will read and judge each essay based on content, originality, and organization.

What is an AZ529 account?

The AZ529 Education Savings Plan is a designated account to save for qualified higher education expenses at universities, colleges, vocational, and technical schools. Contributions to this account grow on a tax-deferred basis. Funds in an AZ529 account can be used for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, a computer, internet services and other related educational expenses.

Does my child have to attend an Arizona university to use the AZ529 funds?

If your child wins, you will receive a $529 deposit into an AZ529 Education Savings Plan. AZ529 funds can be used to pay for higher education institutions across the country and some schools abroad. There is no obligation to use the winning funds at a specific vocational school, college, or university.

AZ529 funds can be used for education expenses including tuition and fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for an accredited postsecondary institution or participation in an apprenticeship program registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor under section 1 of the National Apprenticeship Act. AZ529 account funds can also be used for qualified student loan repayments, up to a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per beneficiary. Students who are enrolled at least half-time may use AZ529 account funds for room and board expenses.

• Privacy Policy

The 2022-2023 Average College Attendance Costs as provided by the College Board were used to estimate current college costs.

National Average College Attendance Costs*

Tuition & Fees

Room & Board

Books & Supplies

Annual Basic Expenses

Private College / University

Public University (In-state)

Public University (Out-of-state)

Community College (In-state)

*Source: College Board, 2022 – 2023

The Savings Goal is calculated by multiplying the Shortfall by the savings percentage selected.

If the account owner wanted to make a one-time investment now to save enough to cover the shortfall, the amount needed was calculated by multiplying the Shortfall amount by an investment index multiplier that corresponds to the selected number of years until college as seen in the Necessary Investment Index.

Necessary Investment Index

Years Until College

Contribution LumpSum

If the account owner wanted to make monthly investments to save enough to cover the shortfall, the amount was calculated by multiplying the Shortfall amount by an investment index multiplier that corresponds to the selected number of years until college as seen in the Necessary Investment Index.

Contribution Monthly

The Monthly Savings Goal Amount was calculated by multiplying the Savings Goal amount by an investment index multiplier that corresponds to the selected number of years until college as seen in the Necessary Investment Index.

The Value of Current Investments When College Starts was calculated by multiplying your current college savings by a growth index multiplier that corresponds to the selected number of years of possible investing (e.g. years until college), assuming a 7% annual rate of return as seen in the Growth Index table.

Growth Index (Assumes 7% Annual Rate of Return)

Years Investing

Multiply By:

Future Annual College Costs are calculated by multiplying the current annual college costs by an 8% inflation rate multiplier that corresponds to the selected number of years until college as seen in the Rising Cost Index.

Rising Cost Index

8% Inflation Rate Multiply By:

Most families set a goal to save for a percent of the total cost of college, not necessarily the whole amount. Some save 25%, some want to cover 30%, others 50% and some families aim for 80%. Use this calculator to find out what amount works best for your current budget.

The Shortfall was calculated by subtracting the Value of Current Investments When College Starts from the Projected Total Cost of College.

Projected Total Cost of College was calculated by multiplying the future annual college costs by the planned number of years of attendance. The projection does not allow for inflation rate adjustments beyond the first year of college.

Order Your Almanac Today!

Winners of the 2023 Essay Contest

“A Funny Thing That Happened to Me”

Thank you to everyone who submitted an essay. Here are the 2023 winners featured in The 2024 Old Farmer’s Almanac.

“A Funny Thing That Happened to Me” 

First prize ($250), read next, a southern vegetable garden plan and layout, my most memorable wildlife experience, my most memorable animal experience.

–Bruce Kubec, Longwood, Florida 

Second Prize ($200)

My son was 6 years old, about halfway through first grade, and he was in that magical stage when learning to read permeated every aspect of his life: reading street signs, reading posters in store windows, reading cereal boxes. He would focus, squint, and silently mouth the printed letters, then decode them into language. He’d do it again and again, the ratio of success creeping up with practice.

So it was that Mom had an evening meeting, and my son and I headed to a local family restaurant for dinner. The menu became his prized focus, a small universe of words and pictures, puzzles to be solved, and a playground for exercising his current favorite sport. He got “french fries” and “ice cream,” but stumbled on “spaghetti” and “appetizer.”

Then, as we neared the end of our dinner, a look of concern wrinkled his face. He scanned the dining room with mild confusion. His eyes lingered on an adjoining, smaller dining area. Finally, he asked, “Do we have to go there if we get ice cream?” I asked what he meant. He then pointed to the menu and read, “It says here, ‘Leave room for dessert.’”

–Rick Schnable, Dover, New Hampshire

Third Prize ($100)

The night before Thanksgiving, one year before, my husband sent our young daughters out to the freezer in the garage with instructions on how to bring in the turkey to defrost. They came back to report that there was no turkey. He told them to look again, adding that it was smaller than usual. They came back with a shrink-wrapped Cornish game hen, asking, “Is this really our turkey?” He assured them that it was, explaining that he’d learned about a new product called Expand-O Turkey.

They put the wrapped bird in the sink with water, and he assured them that—like their fun bath sponges—it would be full size by morning. After they were asleep, he cut open the shrink-wrap to look like it had burst wide open, wrapped up the game hen, and returned it to the freezer.

Before they awoke, he took our real turkey from a cooler where it had been defrosting, removed its shrink-wrap, and placed it in the sink. The game hen’s torn tiny shrink wrap was placed in the water to await the girls’ discovery. Their eyes widened at the scene. Expand-O Turkey was amazing. They spread the word far and wide.

–Cindy Dobrez, Grand Haven, Michigan

Honorable Mention

We were on the road to the Renaissance Festival in Sterling, New York. Upon arriving, my husband parked the van on a large grassy field. We headed toward the entrance. We presented our tickets at the gate, walked into the wooded grounds, and made a beeline for the food stands—pulled pork pockets with creamy coleslaw; turkey legs; strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, and much more. We chose our desired delicacy, and off we ran to see the sights.

Except that I don’t run. I can’t even walk quickly. I have multiple sclerosis and walk with a limp. Climbing stairs is especially difficult, and this festival had plenty of stairs built into the ground. I was ascending one set of stairs as a woman going down stopped me. “How’s the leg?” she asked. I did a quick memory jog: “Do I know her? Apparently, she knows me and knows that I have MS . Is she from church? The neighborhood?”

I didn’t know, but I answered her: “The leg’s a little weak, but I’m sure it’ll get better.” She nodded, smiling strangely at me. She went along her merry way, as I lifted a huge 1-pound turkey leg to my mouth.

–Geraldine Bereziuk-Lowrey Buffalo, New York

Carol Connare

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