CAP Distinguished Medical Student Award

The Distinguished Medical Student Award from the College of American Pathologists (CAP) is given to a medical student, in any year of training, for outstanding achievement, aptitude, or interest in pathology. The awardee is recommended for recognition by the pathology contact (department chair, program director, or faculty member) at a US allopathic or osteopathic medical school.

The CAP’s Distinguished Medical Student Award honors the student's initiative in learning about pathology and participating in pathology-related activities. It intentionally elevates the specialty by leveraging the involvement of pathologists in medical students' training as they interact prior to and during the selection process. 

The 2024 nomination cycle is now closed.

The award is intended to be recommendation-based rather than application-based. While medical schools may have current award criteria and selection mechanisms, ultimately the pathology department chair, program director, or faculty member will recommend the medical student based on the student's knowledge of/interest in pathology, participation in pathology electives, or activities revolving around pathology.

1. The student may be in any year of medical training.
2. The student should exhibit knowledge of and enthusiasm for pathology.
3. The student should be involved in pathology courses, interest groups, electives, research, or a preceptorship associated with the medical school and/or other organizations outside the medical school.
4. The medical school may, at its discretion, use selection criteria and mechanisms already in place in the institution.

The CAP will provide a frameable certificate and a $250 monetary award to the recipient. These will be sent directly to the institution's contact for presentation to the recipient.

It is at the medical school’s discretion as to when to confer the CAP Distinguished Medical Student Award. Options might include giving it at the medical school graduation when excellence awards are presented, during pathology events so the medical student can be recognized with future pathology colleagues, or during interdisciplinary academic awards presentations. Each institution may decide the best time to present the award; however, it should be presented before the end of the academic year and prior to June 17, 2024. After that date, the CAP will publish the names of award recipients and their respective schools on cap.org.