The Nancy Ryan Lowitt, MD, EdM, Faculty Development Fund
This fund honors the leadership and legacy of Dr. Nancy Ryan Lowitt, who was deeply committed to faculty career development and advancement. Dr. Lowitt was known for her compassionate, values-driven leadership and dedication to professional development, mentorship, and cultural transformation. She believed in developing people, creating opportunities for others to grow, and fostering a professional environment grounded in respect, collaboration, integrity, and fairness. The Nancy Lowitt Award recognizes individuals who embody these qualities and, through their leadership and commitment to professional growth, positively contribute to the culture and community of the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
This annual award recognizes a UMSOM faculty member whose academic leadership, cultural transformation efforts, commitment to excellence, and integrity reflect the high standards set by Dr. Lowitt during her tenure.
The winner/recipient (s) will be formally recognized during the Promotions Award Ceremony on February 4, 2027, at 4 pm, at the SMC Campus Center, and is strongly encouraged to attend, as Dr. Lowitt’s family is expected to be in attendance and will personally present the award.
In the spirit of showcasing the impact and success of the award, we kindly ask each recipient to provide a brief paragraph within one year of receiving the award describing how it has supported their career goals and professional development. We also ask the recipient to serve on the selection committee for the following year’s award.
Application Deadline: October 30, 2026
This is a self-nomination process. Letters of recommendation are not required and should not be submitted as part of the application.
Eligibility
Assistant Professor faculty pursuing a career in academic leadership whose professionalism work reflects the integrity and high standards set by Dr. Lowitt.
Award Criteria
- Engagement in professional development and leadership activities and application of these experiences to professional growth and leadership impact.
- Commits to mentoring, supporting, and developing others.
- Contributes to a positive, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture.
- Clear articulation of future career and leadership goals and how the proposed professional development opportunity will strengthen leadership capacity and positively impact the academic medical community.
Application Process
Submit a complete application packet as one PDF document. The file should be named using the following format: FirstName_LastName_NancyLowittAward.pdf.
The application packet should include the following:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Submit a personal statement (maximum 500 words)
The personal statement should describe your professional development and leadership journey and how these experiences have contributed to your professional growth. Include examples of how you have applied your learning and leadership experiences to make a positive impact, mentor or support the development of others, and contribute to a positive, respectful, and collaborative workplace culture. In addition, describe the professional development or leadership training program you intend to pursue, including the name of the program, if known, and explain how this opportunity will advance your career goals, leadership vision, and ability to positively impact others and the academic medical community. Your statement should also describe how you demonstrate values reflected in Dr. Nancy Lowitt’s leadership, including compassion, kindness, integrity, fairness, respect, and collaboration.
Selection Process
The winner is selected by an internal review committee composed of faculty and staff representing diverse professional backgrounds.
What does the award recipient receive?
- Up to $2,500 toward a professional development or leadership training program
- Engraved award recognizing the recipient’s achievement
- Recognition at the 2027 UMSOM Faculty Promotion Ceremony
- Permanent recognition on the Nancy Ryan Lowitt Faculty Development Award Plaque, alongside previous award recipients