Renowned surgeon Richard Spear, MD, had a dream of fostering excellent writing about the practice of medicine. After his passing in 2007, Dr. Spear left a generous bequest to GLMS. It was through this bequest that GLMS began the Richard Spear, MD, Memorial Essay Contest.
To enter, you must be a GLMS physician member (practicing or retired), GLMS in-training member or University of Louisville medical student. Both category winners receive cash prizes and will have their writing published in Louisville Medicine magazine.
2023
Theme: “The Best Part of My Day”
Last year’s contest reminded us that there are so many “little joys of medicine” and this year we’re excited to dive further into those moments. From walking through your practice doors in the morning, to all those moments that happen after you turn out the lights and drive home. What part of your day do you crave more of? What are the silver linings on the not-so-great days? What is a pick-me-up guaranteed to bring a smile to your face? What is the best part of your day?
Guidelines are available here.
2022
Theme: “Little Joys of Medicine”
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
Kris Barnsfather, MD, MBA, FACOG — “Everywhere”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
Cole Dowdy — “A Change of Heart”
2021
Theme: “How 2020 changed me: my life and medicine.”
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
Valerie Briones-Pryor, MD — “Numbers”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
Liz Smith — “Rising from the Ashes”
2020
Theme: Empowering Physicians to Inspire
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
David Dageforde, MD — “Empowering Physicians to Inspire”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
Joseph Snider, MD — “Main Street”
2019
Theme: Should Medical Marijuana Have A Place In Kentucky?
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
Timir Banerjee, MD — “Should Medical Marijuana Have A Place In Kentucky?”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
Ahmed Saleh – “Should Medical Marijuana Have A Place In Kentucky Healthcare?”
2018
Theme: What have you sacrificed to become a physician?
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
Suzanne McGee, MD – “Back Scratches, Conbread, and Unspent Love: Sacrifices I Made to Become a Good Doctor“
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
April Butler – “March Flowers in February”
2017
Theme: What Drives You Crazy in Health Care?
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
Morris Weiss, MD – “Ethical & Moral Consideration in 21st Century Medicine”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
Natalie Spiller – “What Drives You Crazy: A Story”
2016
Themes: How Medicine Has Changed Me (Practicing and Life) & Social Media in Medicine (In-Training and Student)
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
David Dageforde, MD – “When Medicine Became More Than a Diagnosis”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
Kara Curry, DO – “Exploring Human Connection For Physicians Within Social Media”
2015
Themes: Medicine and the Unexpected (Practicing and Life) & Using Technology in Medicine Without Becoming a Medical Robot (In-Training and Student)
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
Nina Vasavada, MD – “The Unexpected In Front of Us”
In-Training and Student Member Category Co-Winner
Joseph Bales, MD – “The Machine in All of Us”
In-Training and Student Member Category Co-Winner
Sarah Khayat – “Hold the Phone”
2014
Themes: Current Practices: Realities and Controversies (Practicing and Life) & What Patients Have Taught Me (In-Training and Student)
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
David A. Lipski, MD – “Hello My Name Is…”
Practicing and Life Member Category Honorable Mention
Martin Huecker, MD – “Warm and Dead?”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
R. Caleb Buege, MD – “A Learning Experience”
2013
Themes: Challenges in Medical Practice & Medical Mentors
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
Katherine A. Abbott, MD – “Challenges in Medical Practice”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
Celia Johns, medical student – “My Silent Teacher”
Honorable Mention
Katie Huber, MD – “Paying It Back”
Medical Writing for the Public
Virginia Kenney, MD – “Louisville’s Polio Battle Joined 50 Years Ago”
Michael Stillman, MD – “’Dismaying’ Number of Uninsured Kentuckians”
2012
2011
Theme: Why Did You Choose to be a Doctor?
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
George John, MD – “The Price of Passion”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
R. Caleb Buege, medical student – “The Janus Perspective”
Honorable Mention
Trudi Rash, MD – “A Summer’s Event, A Lifetime Decision”
2010
Theme: An Unforgettable Patient
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
James Patrick Murphy, MD – “The Fawn”
In-Training and Student Member Category Winner
Chanley M. Martin, MD, JD – “Signposts”
Honorable Mention
Valerie Briones-Pryor, MD – “Fulfillment”
2009
Theme: Medical Mentors
Practicing and Life Member Category Winner
Clifford Kuhn, MD – “My Summer With ‘Doctor Mac’”
Student/Resident Category Winner
Evan R. McBeath, medical student – “From Louisville to Honduras: A Biography of My Greatest Medical Mentor”
Honorable Mention
Lyle Bohlman, MD – “Doc Petty”
