Dean’s Distinguished Service Awards
The Dean’s Distinguished Service Awards are annual honors established by the Office of the Dean to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in service, leadership, advocacy and professional accomplishment.
Awardees are chosen by a selection committee overseen by the Dean’s leadership team.
Please use the awards nomination form to submit nominations.
2023 Awards Ceremony Photographs
View the 2023 Dean's Distinguished Service Award recipients.
Award Descriptions
Awarded to a member of the faculty or alumni of the School of Medicine whose career has spanned at least 25 years, with a significant portion at the USC School of Medicine. This individual must have made significant contributions to their profession in at least two of the following three areas: 1) clinical practice, academic medicine, or research; 2) medical or graduate education; 3) leadership in their profession at the local, state, or regional/national level
Awarded to a member(s) of the faculty, staff, or student body whose contributions to the local, regional, or global community have demonstrated a commitment to improving the welfare of all people and has upheld the highest traditions of servant leadership.
Awarded to a faculty or staff member whose strong leadership has contributed to the School of Medicine’s success in advancing one or more of its missions. The award may recognize outstanding leadership in a specific role or related to a specific project, in which the individual’s contributions were essential to achieving a significant accomplishment for the School of Medicine.
Awarded to a member of the faculty, staff, or student body of the School of Medicine who has implemented a project or program which has enhanced the climate of diversity and inclusion in the School of Medicine or advanced diversity and inclusion in health care disparities. This may include initiatives to promote a diverse faculty, staff and student body, to promote an inclusive campus climate, or to address health disparities through teaching, research, clinical interventions or community outreach.
Awarded to a member(s) of the community whose service to the School of Medicine has contributed to the advancement of the School of Medicine’s missions. The award may be given to an individual(s) or to an organization. The award recipient(s) should not be a SOM employee, though former employees of the SOM could be eligible, if the service being recognized occurred subsequent to their SOM employment.
Awarded to a faculty or staff member with at least ten years of continuous service to the School of Medicine, who consistently demonstrates ongoing commitment to improving the School of Medicine, exceeds his or her job responsibilities and helps create a positive work environment.
William C. Gillespie Staff Recognition Award
Named after William Gillespie, a former employee in the School of Medicine’s finance office, the award recognizes an outstanding staff member at the School of Medicine whose work performance stands out as an example for all to emulate. A committee of peer staff members from clinical, research, and administrative areas selected each year’s recipient.
View the 2023 Gillespie Staff Recognition Award Recipient
Past Winners
View a full list of previous Dean's Distinguished Service Award recipients and Gillespie Award recipients.