February 27, 2018

Sherman Prize, Rewarding Excellence in Crohn's and Colitis, Now Accepting Nominations for 2018 Prize Cycle

– New Website Emphasizes Inspiring Stories of Prize Recipients –

NAPLES, Florida, February 27, 2018 – The Bruce and Cynthia Sherman Charitable Foundation today announced that nominations are being accepted online for the 2018 Sherman Prize. Created in 2016, the Sherman Prize honors individuals who make exceptional and pioneering contributions and inspire tomorrow’s innovators in the fight to overcome Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, also known as the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Nominations for the Prize will be accepted at www.ShermanPrize.org through April 15, 2018.

Two Sherman Prizes of $100,000 each are awarded annually to individuals who have made a significant and enduring impact in addressing the challenges of IBD. A $25,000 Sherman Emerging Leader Prize is awarded to an individual who demonstrates high potential. All prize recipients are featured in short videos that are designed to recognize their accomplishments and inspire others by highlighting groundbreaking work. These stories of achievement are featured more prominently on the new Sherman Prize website, in support of the mission to create a ripple effect of inspiration in the IBD community.

“The Sherman Prize elevates IBD champions across the country, who are working tirelessly to solve the puzzles of these diseases,” said Dr. David Rubin, Sherman Prize Selection Committee Chair and Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The University of Chicago Medicine. “The Prize Selection Committee looks forward to reviewing many wonderful nominations this year and ultimately recognizing and celebrating the great work being done at the intersection of patient care, research, education and advocacy.”

Serving on this year’s Prize Selection Committee alongside Dr. Rubin are Dr. Sunanda V. Kane, Mayo Clinic Rochester; Dr. Dermot P.B. McGovern, Cedars-Sinai; Dr. Corey Siegel, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; and Dr. Eva Szigethy, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and 2016 Sherman Prize Recipient.

Sherman Prize Eligibility

The Sherman Prize recognizes and rewards IBD professionals who are advancing patient care, medical research, public service and education on behalf of the more than three million Americans living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

To be eligible, nominees must live and work in the United States, having accomplished their greatest achievements in the last decade, with greater emphasis placed on contributions in the last few years.

Candidates can be nominated by colleagues, peers, educators, advocates — anyone who can attest to the candidate’s qualifications. Self-nominations are not accepted. Individuals who were nominated in prior years can be nominated again — submissions should include new, up-to-date information on the candidate’s achievements.

The Story Behind the Prize

For Bruce and Cynthia Sherman, IBD hits close to home. Both of Bruce’s daughters, as well as his father, were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. It was this emotional, decades-long, life-changing journey that led Bruce and his wife, Cynthia, to envision the Sherman Prize. They recognized that more could be done in terms of patient care, medical research, public service and education for those who live with Crohn’s and colitis — diseases that have no cure. Bruce and Cynthia’s vision is that the Sherman Prize will create a ripple effect, inspiring tomorrow’s innovations by recognizing today’s achievements.

About Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Millions of people worldwide suffer from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which are chronic, inflammatory diseases that damage the gastrointestinal tract. While there are effective treatments, there is no cure and available medicines do not work for everyone. Up to 70 percent of people with Crohn’s disease and as many as one third of people with ulcerative colitis require surgery. The standard surgery for ulcerative colitis is removal of the colon and rectum. Over a lifetime, Crohn’s and colitis can take a significant physical and emotional toll, both on those who suffer, as well as their families. Although great strides have been made in understanding and treating these diseases, many challenges remain, including delays in diagnosis, insufficient understanding of what causes the diseases or leads to relapses, limited treatment options, limited knowledge of the psychosocial and behavioral consequences of IBD and disparities in quality of care and support.

Media Contact: Shannon Richardson, 202-997-1982, srichardsonllcva@gmail.com