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2026 Carole J. Bland Phronesis Award

Carole J. Bland Award Nomination Packet

 

DEADLINE: Friday, February 6, 2026, 11:59 PM, PST

 

 

THE AWARD
The Group on Faculty Affairs (GFA) established the Carole J. Bland Phronesis Award to commemorate the legacy of service and example of Dr. Bland. This award serves to honor members of the Faculty Affairs community who exemplify the spirit of phronesis through dedicated and selfless promotion of faculty vitality.

Phronesis (fro-NEE-sis):
Acting for the welfare of others without thought for the self; seeking and enabling heroically the development and success of others.

Carole J. Bland devoted her professional career to serving the faculty at the University of Minnesota since receiving her doctorate there in 1974. Dr. Bland served as faculty and ultimately as the Assistant Dean for Faculty Development at the Medical School. Her work embodied a commitment to faculty success and while her career included various titles, all of her work focused on promoting the professional development of others in their careers. Dr. Bland served as a mentor to many, and she encouraged and trained others to be mentors. By her personal investments of time and knowledge, and by lecturing and publishing her work on mentoring and faculty development, Dr. Bland extended her effectiveness and shared her wisdom and values. She introduced the application of practices that nourished and supported faculty vitality in academia. The professional life she lived is a model which the Group of Faculty Affairs holds in the highest regard and will honor and remember with the Carole J. Bland Phronesis Award.

The GFA Steering Committee established this award in Dr. Bland's honor in recognition of her service to faculty affairs, faculty development, and academic medicine. The process included securing the permission of Dr. Bland's family and approval from the AAMC.

AWARD CRITERIA
Nominees for the annual Carole J. Bland Phronesis Award should be individuals with at least 10 years of history contributing to the field of faculty affairs or faculty development in academic medicine. The GFA Steering Committee will evaluate nominees for evidence of excellence in the following areas:

• Innovator/Leader
• Nurturer/Mentor
• GFA Engagement/Involvement
• Educator/Scholar

In addition to the evidence of excellence in each of the above areas, the GFA Steering Committee will consider regional and/or national impact in the areas of faculty affairs and faculty development.

The GFA Steering Committee invites those who will make nominations to consider the following examples of how phronesis may be demonstrated:

• Demonstrating sustained engagement in the work of the Group on Faculty Affairs (GFA), with contributions that advance GFA initiatives and produce meaningful outcomes beyond formal participation.
• Making a positive impact on the field of Faculty Affairs.
• Making a positive impact on the professional lives and success of faculty.
• Recognizing issues, identifying solutions, and implementing appropriate follow-up actions.
• Identifying trends or responding to emerging trends with innovative approaches.
• Serving as a mentor for ideas by helping others develop and advance their work.
• Supporting and fostering the development of others.
• Demonstrating understanding and appreciation of the challenges of academic work.
• Serving as a thought leader or innovator by developing ideas in the field.
• Posing thoughtful questions and identifying solutions that address issues important to faculty.
• Developing and implementing policies in support of faculty careers.
• Being recognized as a speaker on issues related to Faculty Affairs.
• Acting as an innovator in the field or a related area.
• Promoting and sustaining faculty and staff vitality.
• Maintaining a nurturing, diverse, inclusive staff and office environment.

ELIGIBILITY
Individuals working in the area of Faculty Affairs or Faculty Development, who are current or retired members of the Group on Faculty Affairs (GFA), are eligible for nomination. Members of the seated GFA Steering Committee, GFA Committees, or GFA ad hoc bodies are not eligible for nomination until at least one year after the conclusion of their active service. Nominees must demonstrate standards of professional ethics and integrity.

Nominations may be submitted by GFA faculty and professional staff members, Medical School Deans or Health System Executives within the AAMC membership, or any member of AAMC leadership, including chairs or steering committee members of other AAMC Groups or Councils.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES
Nominations should be submitted electronically and include the following:

• Letter of nomination outlining the rationale and justification for the nomination. The letter should address each of the evaluation areas—Innovator/Leader, Nurturer/Mentor, GFA Engagement/Impact, and Educator/Scholar—in a brief narrative not to exceed three (3) pages and must be double-spaced.
• GFA Engagement and Impact Statement presented in an itemized or bulleted format. The statement should outline the nominee’s roles, contributions, length of involvement, and outcomes related to their engagement with the Group on Faculty Affairs (GFA).
• Nominee’s narrative bio sketch (maxium 500 words).
• Nominee's curriculum vitae.
• Nominee's headshot.
• Completed nomination form, submitted by the nominator. Incomplete or late nominations will not be accepted. The deadline for all nominations is Friday, February 6, 2026, 11:59 PM, PST.

AWARD PRESENTATION
The Award will be announced at the 2026 GBA-GIP-GFA Joint Spring Meeting, taking place April 22-24, 2026. The award recipient will be invited to present comments at the meeting.

QUESTIONS
Contact Elizabeth Torres at eltorres@aamc.org for questions about the award, eligibility, and submission process. For Technical Support, call 1-877-426-6323 or email Help@ConferenceAbstracts.com.