Paster Family Foundation Innovation Award

The Paster Family Foundation Innovation Award recognizes and encourages innovative discoveries arising on our medical campus that advance human health. The award is in the spirit of the Wisconsin Idea and inspired by the historical innovations launched on the UW campus that have improved the lives of Wisconsinites, Americans and, in many cases, our global society. Dr. Zorba Paster explains more about the award.

2022 recipient

Congratulations to 2022 recipient, Elise Cowley!

Cowley’s project was chosen for her team’s work developing virtual workshops to increase access to abortion education and encourage medical students to reflect on their values and beliefs about abortion.

2022 runners-up

  • Cervical Cancer Screening in Rural Guatemala: International Community-Based Collaboration, Innovation, and Persistence – Taryn McGinn Valley
  • Coronary Artery Disease-Liver Transplantation Score – Rayan Jo Rachwan, MD
  • Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation – Daniel P McCarthy, MD, MBA, MEM
  • Fresh Beginnings – Jacquelyn Adams, MD
  • Improving Osteoarthritis Care – Kathryn Miller, MD
  • Osteoporosis Workflow – Andrew Ross, MD, MPH
  • Transgender Healthcare in Pakistan – Muhammad Daud, MD

Past recipients

Eligibility

Open for application to any employee (faculty, staff or student employees) of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, UW Health or William S. Middleton Veterans Memorial Hospital (VA)

  • Note: federally funded research projects not eligible

Selection criteria

  • A project, system improvement or initiative that has made a difference in human health and/or the lives of patients and their families

Required submission materials

  • One- to two-page summary of innovation answering the following questions:
    • What was the goal?
    • What did you do?
    • What was the outcome?
  • One- to three-minute video (optional)