Catherine Dunn, MSIV, a fourth-year Family Medicine medical student at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Pisacano Leadership Award.
Catherine, along with nine other medical students from across the nation, was selected as a member of the 2026 class of Pisacano Scholars. The prestigious scholarship is awarded to students attending US medical schools who demonstrate a strong commitment to the specialty of Family Medicine. Applicants are evaluated on leadership, academic achievement, clinical excellence, communication skills, and service. The scholarship program provides educational opportunities, leadership training, and financial support to outstanding fourth-year medical students .
The Pisacano Leadership Foundation, established by the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM), seeks to strengthen the specialty of Family Medicine by identifying and developing future leaders in the field. The award honors Nicholas J. Pisacano, MD, founder and first executive director of the ABFM, and continues his legacy of advancing excellence in family medicine and primary care leadership.
When asked what this honor means to her, Catherine said, “Being named a Pisacano Scholar is such an honor and truly a highlight of my medical school journey thus far. I'm incredibly excited to join a community of Family Medicine physicians who share the same passion for reaching underserved communities and expanding access to care. This award gives me the mentorship and support to keep building on the work I've done leading CU Street Medicine and to continue growing as a leader who can expand community-based care throughout my career.”
Melissa Johnson, MD, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine at CU Anschutz, who wrote one of Catherine’s recommendation letters for the award, shared how proud she is to hear this news.
“Catherine is well deserving of the prestigious selection into the Pisacano Scholars Leadership Program. Her desire to become a Family Medicine physician is strongly influenced by her lived experiences, which have highlighted the impact of health inequities and barriers on individual and community health. What sets her apart from other exceptional students is her ability to leverage leadership and scholarship skills to create opportunities to provide care and resources for underserved members of her community.”
Dr. Johnson also commended Catherine for her work within the community, noting that these efforts have helped establish her as a strong leader.
“Her work creating The Footcare Clinic to support foot health among people experiencing homelessness is a prime example of her excellent leadership and dedication. Her scholarship focusing on the health and well-being of pediatric migrant and refugee children during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her teaching roles with peers and local students from first grade through middle school, are additional examples of her investment in our community. I am confident that she will continue to be a transformative force in our field, advancing both patient care and resources for those in need.”
Linda Montgomery, MD, Vice Chair of Education and Associate Professor of Family Medicine at CU Anschutz, congratulated Catherine and highlighted the impact she will have on Family Medicine through her scholarship and leadership.
“Catherine embodies the very best of Family Medicine, and her selection as a Pisacano Scholar is both a richly deserved personal achievement and a proud moment for our Department and School. While this honor rightly recognizes Catherine's exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to patients, it also reflects the collective efforts of the faculty, coaches, advisors, and clinical teachers who have helped nurture her talents throughout medical school. We are delighted to celebrate Catherine, grateful to those who guided her, and can't wait to see the impact she'll have on Family Medicine in the years ahead.”
Congratulations to Catherine. We are excited to see her continued growth and the impact she will make on Family Medicine!
Catherine smiling at her White Coat Ceremony from July 2023.
The 2026 Pisacano Scholars, published by the American Board of Family Medicine.