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2026 AEC Award Winners

September 21, 2026

The Catholic Medical Association announced the following award winners during the Annual Educational Conference (AEC) held earlier this month in Phoenix, Arizona. CMA congratulates all our members, students and guilds that contribute to the vital work of transforming the world of medicine.

Distinguished Guardian of Faith Award

The Distinguished Guardian of Faith Award is presented to members whose vocation of healing others exemplifies their faith and love of God—both personally and professionally. Awardees are nominated by CMA members and selected by an Awards Committee, independent of the Board. Awardees’ special service and dedication to the mission of Catholic Medical Association answers God’s call of discipleship and is a testament to their character. This year, the Distinguished Guardian of Faith medallion, a symbol of service, dedication, and faith, was presented to Executive Director Mario Dickerson.

Evangelium Vitae Award

The Evangelium Vitae Award recognizes outstanding service to the Pro-Life Movement. This year’s EV Award recipient is the Most Reverend James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L., Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska. Bishop Conley received the award for consistently and beautifully proclaiming the Prolife message as he did at the national March for Life in January ‘26, when he pleaded for a “culture of life and civilization of love, where babies are protected in their mothers’ wombs, and women are loved, heard and cared for when they find themselves faced with very difficult and life changing decisions.” He also encouraged all with mental health challenges in his Pastoral Letter, “A Future with Hope” in which he wrote, “The cultural stigma around mental health issues can create pressure to hide our struggles. I decided to combat prejudice and my shame by sharing my suffering openly.” He has been a tremendous gift to the Board and the entire membership of the CMA as the Episcopal Advisor.

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Outstanding Guild Chaplain Award

The amazing work that CMA does each year is made possible by a strong spiritual foundation–one that is strengthened by our many dedicated Chaplains. The Outstanding Guild Chaplain Award is given to a chaplain who provides exceptional spiritual direction and guidance, helping our members stay true to the Catholic Faith. This year’s recipient has far exceeded expectations. He has developed and shared daily Scripture reflections with all Guild members, offered weekly prayer meetings, celebrated the annual White Mass at his parish, and actively participated in every Guild event. We are pleased to present the 2026 Outstanding Guild Chaplain Award to Rev. Matthew Cherian, Ph.D., Chaplain of the St. Margaret Guild of Connecticut.

Outstanding Student Chapter Award

The Outstanding Student Chapter Award recognizes a group that has effected truly meaningful change in its community. This year’s recipient has excelled across every pillar of their mission. Locally, they organized an engaging evening speaker series and vital educational programs. Spiritually, they fostered deep growth through Masses and three Holy Year pilgrimages to area shrines. Furthermore, their commitment to service shone brightly through outreach initiatives—such as publishing a newsletter and developing a parish directory for area medical students. They also directly supported the community by serving as ushers at the Archdiocesan Mass for People with Disabilities. The 2026 Outstanding Student Chapter Award winner is Philly Student CMA, Student Chapter of the St. John Neumann Guild of Philadelphia

The Award was accepted on behalf of the Student Chapter by Rosemary Horstmann, M.D., a member of the St. John Neumann Guild of Philadelphia.

Pillars Certificate

One of the greatest strengths of the Catholic Medical Association is the exciting work taking place in our Guilds across the country. Through prayer, fellowship, education, service, and outreach, our Guilds bring CMA’s mission to life in their local communities and serve as ambassadors for our Association. The Pillars Certificate Award recognizes Guilds that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to building a strong and active local CMA presence. To earn this distinction, a Guild must successfully achieve at least three of the five essential Pillars of an Active Guild:

Together, these pillars provide a balanced framework for cultivating faithful Catholic physicians, strengthening local Guilds, and advancing the mission of the Catholic Medical Association.

3 of 5 Pillars – 6 Guilds

Catholic Healthcare Professionals of Central Texas

Healthcare Professionals of North East Texas

Rockford Guild

St. Margaret Guild of Connecticut

Tampa Bay Guild of St. Philomena

Tucson Catholic Physicians Guild

4 of 5 Pillars – 16 Guilds

Albany Catholic Medical Guild

Allentown Guild

Baltimore Guild

Catholic Healthcare Professionals of Houston

Catholic Medical Association Phoenix

Catholic Medical Guild of Dallas

Catholic Physicians Guild of Corpus Christi

Cincinnati St. Gianna Guild

Diocese of Winona-Rochester Guild

Guild of St. Luke (Boston)

Holy Family Guild of Oklahoma City

Our Lady of San Juan del Valle Guild

St. Giuseppe Moscati Guild of the Diocese of Erie

Sts. Cosmas and Damian Guild of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe

Sts. Molla and Moscati Guild of Tulsa

Triangle Guild

Saint Luke Award

The Saint Luke Award recognizes Guilds that successfully fulfill all five essential pillars of active Guild. This year, the Catholic Medical Association is proud to honor two exceptional Guilds. From deepening spiritual and educational formation through White Masses and speaker events, to fostering fellowship, growing membership, and serving local communities, these awardees truly inspire us all. The 2026 Saint Luke Award recipients are the Catholic Medical Association of Central Ohio and the Denver CMA Guild.

Outstanding Guild Award

They achieved this through an outstanding lineup of initiatives that includes:

All of our guilds do incredible work. However, this honor is reserved for a guild that goes above and beyond in fulfilling all five of our essential pillars. This year’s recipient has successfully engaged both its members and the local community to advance the mission of Catholic Medical Association.

We are incredibly proud to present the 2026 Outstanding Guild Award to the Catholic Medical Association of San Antonio.

2026 Linacre Quarterly Award

Awardee: Samuel Berendes, B.A.

“The Brain as a Whole? Neuroendocrine Functions and Death by Neurological Criteria”

NOVEMBER 2025

Awardee: Doyen Nguyen, O.P., M.D., S.T.D. and Christine M. Zainer, M.D.

“Incoherence in the Brain Death Guideline Regarding Brain Blood Flow Testing:

Lessons from the Much-Publicized Case of Zack Dunlap

AUGUST 2025

Conference Chair Award

The Conference Chair Award presented to Dr. Mary Keen-Kirchoff in appreciation of her
exceptional leadership and service to the success of the 95th Annual Educational Conference
“Mysteries & Miracles: Restoring the Practice of Medicine to Heal the Whole Person” held in Phoenix, Arizona
in September 2026.

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Poster Contest Winners:

Case Study/Research: “Advancing Body Literacy Education (ABLE): A Community-Based Educational Initiative for Youth Led by Medial Students” by Colleen Doyle, Marguerite Duane, Katie Vidmar

Philosophy/Theology/Bioethics: “Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: Ordering Technology Toward the Good of the Human Person” by Zachary Schulte, Franco Alonso

Medical Education: “Religion and Spirituality in Medical Education: A Narrative Review of Trainee Preparedness and Educational Interventions” by Bailey Mirmelli, Rachael Carlson, Jack Greve, Fr. Kevin Dilworth