The Daryl and Nancy Granner Distinguished Mentor Award honors an outstanding mentor of the Carver College of Medicine. Awardees are distinguished faculty who have served a significant portion of their career at Iowa and whose mentees have gone on to distinguished careers of their own. Awardees are also known for their collegiality, dedication to their profession, and the advancement of the Carver College of Medicine and the University of Iowa. The annual award celebration includes a Distinguished Mentor’s Lecture given by an eminent scholar.
2021 Daryl and Nancy Granner Distinguished Mentor Award Celebration
The 2020 Distinguished Mentor Award Celebration has been rescheduled to October 12, 2021 at 3:00pm in the Prem Sahai Auditorium. Attendees may attend in person or via Zoom. Please contact Sonya Housholder for the Zoom link.
Distinguished Mentor Awardee: Donald D. Heistad, MD
Dr. Heistad, Professor of Internal Medicine - Cardiovascular Medicine, Pomerantz Family Chair, and Professor of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, has an outstanding record of mentoring trainees, faculty and staff at all levels. By his own example and with his guidance and leadership, he has influenced the lives and careers of many scientists and physicians at Iowa and around the world.
Distinguished Mentor Lecturer: David J. Skorton, MD
"Inspiration Comes in Many Forms"
Dr. Skorton, President and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, has a distinguished career as a physician-scientist, educator, and academic leader. He served as president of the University of Iowa and of Cornell University, and secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.
Past Distinguished Mentor Awardees and Lecturers:
| Awardee | Lecturer | |
| 2019 | Edward F. Bell, MD | Richard S. Finkel, MD |
| 2018 | Mary E. Wilson, MD | Peter Hotez, MD, PhD |
| 2017 | Robert G. Robinson, MD | Eve E. Marder, PhD |
| 2016 | John E. Donelson, PhD | Thomas R. Cech, PhD |
| 2015 | M. Sue O'Dorisio, MD, PhD | Robert A. Weinberg, PhD |
| 2014 | Peter Densen, MD | Bonnie L. Bassler, PhD |
| 2013 | Allyn L. Mark, MD | Bruce M. Spiegelman, PhD |
| 2012 | Michael A. Apicella, MD | David M. Oshinsky, PhD |
| 2011 | David P. Wacker, PhD | Huda Y. Zoghbi, MD |
| 2010 | Bruce J. Gantz, MD | David J. Julius, PhD |
| 2009 | Ignacio Ponseti, MD Stuart L. Weinstein, MD |
David M. Kingsley, PhD |
| 2008 | Arthur A. Spector, MD | Jeffrey M. Friedman, MD, PhD |
| 2007 | Gary W. Hunninghake, MD | Anthony S. Fauci, MD |
| 2006 | François M. Abboud, MD | Robert J. Lefkowitz, MD |
| 2005 | Kevin P. Campbell, PhD | Eric R. Kandel, MD |
| 2004 | Jeffrey C. Murray, MD | Mary-Claire King, PhD |
| 2003 | Michael J. Welsh, MD | Günter Blobel, MD, PhD |
| 2002 | James A. Clifton, MD | Stephen O'Rahilly, MD |
Nominations for the Distinguished Mentor Award:
Candidates for the Distinguished Mentor Award should be outstanding mentors whose mentees have gone on to distinguished careers of their own. Candidates should have spent a significant portion of their career at Iowa. Candidates may include: a) Mentors who have finished their active careers or achieved emeritus status, or b) Senior active faculty who have already made a substantial impact in the training of individuals who have gone on to success as independent faculty members. Candidates should be known for their collegiality, dedication to their profession, and the betterment of the Carver College of Medicine and the University of Iowa.
UI Carver College of Medicine faculty, staff and alumni may submit nominations. Complete nominations should include: a letter outlining the rationale for the nomination, the nominee's curriculum vitae, a list of former trainees, and up to ten supporting letters from colleagues and former trainees.
Nominations remain active for three years. Nominators may update previous nominations that are still active. Please submit nominations online. Questions may be directed to Sonya Housholder. Due to the pandemic and consequent rescheduling of the 2020 celebration, we will not be selecting an awardee for 2021 year. Individuals are welcome to nominate candidates for the 2022 award instead.
The deadline for the 2022 Distinguished Mentor Award nominations: August 13, 2021.
The Distinguished Mentor Award and Distinguished Mentor's Lecture are made possible through a generous gift from Daryl Granner, 58BA, 62MS, 62MD, and Nancy Granner, 58BA. Dr. Granner is a Distinguished Almunus, Professor Emeritus, and Founding Director, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, UI Carver College of Medicine.