The International Association for Health Professions Education (AMEE) recently selected Maranda Ward, EdD ’17, MPH, associate professor of clinical research and leadership, as the recipient of the 2025 Miriam Friedman Ben-David (MFBD) Award.
The MFBD Award recognizes early career educators who have made significant contributions to health professions education locally, regionally, nationally, or internationally. It is presented annually to AMEE members whose work demonstrates excellence in teaching across the health professions education continuum.
“It is validating to have an international association recognize my contributions early on in my teaching career,” Ward said, “especially at a moment when the value-laden discussions I lead are politicized in the United States, but remain welcomed and celebrated on a global stage.”
In a statement, AMEE praised Ward’s “compelling trajectory as a health professions educator, characterized by intentional self-development, a strong scholarly foundation, and a consistent commitment to creating meaningful and transformative learning experiences.”
As part of the award, which includes a £1,000 prize (approximately $1,300 USD), Ward will lead a webinar for AMEE members later this year titled “How Racial Equity Advances Health Equity.”
Ward also recently presented at the AMEE annual meeting in Barcelona, held Aug. 23–27. In her invited talk, “A Novel Two-Part Antiracism Training in an Academic Medical Center,” she highlighted the curriculum she co-developed with Lanre Falusi, MD, associate professor of pediatrics. The training, completed by more than 500 clinicians, faculty, residents, and other learners, has shown statistically significant results in how participants apply its principles in clinical practice.
