New York City, New York Jan 21, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) proudly announces the recipients of the 2026 Presidential Recognition Awardees, selected by AMWA President Dr. Eileen Barrett in recognition of exemplary leadership, service, and advocacy in advancing the health of women and the medical profession.
The 2026 Presidential Recognition Awards will be presented to two distinguished physicians for their extraordinary contributions in support of AMWA’s mission to improve the culture of medicine for women physicians and women’s health:
Dr. Caitlin Bernard is an obstetrician/gynecologist who exemplifies extraordinary courage and an unrelenting commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of the patient, which includes ensuring access to reproductive care.
“Ensuring access to reproductive care is a core AMWA belief, and we are honored to select her as a Presidential Awardee in recognition of her steadfast devotion to the health of women,” says Dr. Barrett. “We honor Dr. Bernard for her unwavering commitment to ensuring access to reproductive care as healthcare, and for her courage and dedication, even in the face of profound adversity, which embody AMWA’s core belief that reproductive care is foundational to health, dignity, and autonomy.”
Dr. Jessi Gold, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the Chief Wellness Officer for the University of Tennessee System, is a renowned writer and advocate whose life's work has focused on destigmatizing mental health diagnoses and access to treatment. Her professional dedication and poignant bestselling memoir, How Do You Feel?: One Doctor's Search for Humanity in Medicine continues to have a widespread and immeasurably positive impact, particularly among physicians and trainees, given that those who care for others need to care for themselves, too.
“In AMWA, we know that advancing physician and trainee mental health is a workforce and moral imperative,” says Dr. Barrett. “Dr. Gold’s voice has helped redefine how our profession approaches mental health. As such, we are honored to present her with the 2026 AMWA Presidential Award in recognition of her achievements.”
Dr. Caitlin Bernard and Dr. Jessi Gold, both AMWA lifetime members, will be presented with a Presidential Award during the 111th AMWA Annual Meeting.
The AMWA Annual Meeting, March 27–29, 2026. held in San Francisco, will feature the theme: Thriving, Leading, Transforming: Rooted in Purpose, Rising in Power, Committed to Service. Sessions are designed to spark learning, reflection, and bold action, while celebrating the strength, resilience, and vision of those transforming medicine from the inside out.
The Presidential Recognition Awards will be presented in person during the AMWA Awards Gala, on Saturday, March 28 from 6 to 9 pm PT. To attend the Awards Ceremony or register for the full meeting, visit: amwa-doc.org/amwa111.
About AMWA.
The American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), founded in 1915, is the oldest multispecialty professional organization of women in medicine. Our mission is to advance women physicians and improve the health of women. www.amwa-doc.org
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American Medical Women's Association jgodfrey@amwa-doc.org 9738095462 jgodfrey@amwa-doc.org http://amwa-doc.org
