The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) announces the establishment of an endowment for a prize to be renamed the Paul-Gallin Trailblazer Prize for Physician-Scientists, an annual award given to a physician whose research has the potential to transform patient care.

The new name honors two important physician-scientists, Steven Paul, MD, and the late John Gallin, MD. Dr. Paul is the Chair of the FNIH Board of Directors and has made a generous $1 million gift to initiate the endowment. Dr. Gallin was the longest-serving director of the NIH Clinical Center, who, with his wife Elaine Gallin, PhD, created the Trailblazer Prize in 2018 in partnership with the FNIH.

“Early-career physician-scientists play a critical role in translating basic science discoveries to bedside care,” said FNIH President and CEO Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH. “Their clinical insights are uniquely valuable in motivating novel approaches to complex illnesses. We are very grateful for Steve’s generous contribution in recognizing these important investigators.”

Vijay G. Sankaran, MD, PhD, of Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, will receive the 2024 Paul-Gallin Trailblazer Prize for Physician-Scientists. Dr. Sankaran and his team have made significant advances in the understanding of human blood cell development in health and diseases, including sickle cell anemia, cancer, and rare blood disorders. The Trailblazer Prize includes a $100,000 honorarium to support these research efforts.

“I am delighted to partner with the FNIH to endow this important award,” Dr. Paul said. “I have been fortunate to be involved with this esteemed organization. I am particularly honored to have my name next to that of my friend John Gallin, who sadly passed away recently. I hope others will help honor Dr. Gallin’s legacy.”

Additional donations to the Paul-Gallin Trailblazer Prize for Physician-Scientists Endowment may be made by visiting fnih.org/Gallin.

The Paul-Gallin Trailblazer Award for Physician-Scientists will be given to Dr. Sankaran tonight during the 12th Annual FNIH Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC. The event has raised more than $1 million – setting a record for the FNIH – through contributions from generous sponsors and benefactors. The FNIH gratefully acknowledges its Awards Ceremony Premier Sponsors, Fred and Donna Seigel; and Visionary Sponsors, Gerberding-Rose Family Fund, Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation, Sherry and Alan Leventhal, Paul and Sandra Montrone, Dr. Gilbert S. Omenn and Ms. Martha A. Darling, Steven and Jann Paul, and Perry Steiner and Vanessa Kay.

Learn more about the FNIH Awards Ceremony.

About the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) builds public-private partnerships that connect leading biomedical scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with their counterparts in life sciences companies, academia, patient organizations, foundations, and regulatory agencies (including the Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency). Through team science, the FNIH solves complex health challenges and accelerates breakthroughs for patients, regardless of who they are or what health threats they face. The FNIH contributes to the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and potential cures; advances global health and equity in care; and celebrates and helps train the next generations of scientists. Established by Congress in 1990 to support the mission of the NIH, the FNIH is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information about the FNIH, please visit fnih.org.

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“Early-career physician-scientists play a critical role in translating basic science discoveries to bedside care ... Their clinical insights are uniquely valuable in motivating novel approaches to complex illnesses.” — Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH