The Outstanding Junior Clinician Educator of the Year Award is targeted to an AGS Member who is a clinician-educator junior faculty (Assistant Professor/Instructor) in the development stages of their careers. The awardee will have made a significant contribution to the education and training of students/trainees in geriatrics and the progress of geriatrics education in health professions schools as evidenced by meeting some or all of the following criteria: significant contribution to the teaching of students/trainees; significant contribution to mentoring and providing career advice to students/trainees; significant contribution to educational program development. Teaching expertise, as well as educational program development, is valued in the selection of the recipient for this honor.
2026 Recipient: Anna Pendrey, MD, DABOM
The 2026 recipient of the Outstanding Junior Clinician Educator Award is Anna Pendrey, MD, DABOM Assistant Professor of Clinical Family Medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine and Associate Clinical Director of the Indiana University Student Outreach Clinic. Dr. Pendrey has made significant contributions to geriatrics, with a particular focus on obesity care, cognitive health, and the overall well-being of older adults. Her research, including the landmark review on FDA-approved anti-obesity medications in older adults, has advanced understanding of age-specific efficacy, safety, and individualized treatment strategies, shaping both clinical practice and policy. Dr. Pendrey has also led quality improvement initiatives, such as enhancing advance directive completion in older adults, earning national recognition from the American Geriatrics Society. As an educator, she has consistently received outstanding student evaluations, demonstrating her commitment to training the next generation of physicians in patient-centered, evidence-based geriatric care. Dr. Pendrey founded the Geriatrics Track at the IU Family Medicine Residency Program; as well as the Geriatrics Student Interest Group at the IU School of Medicine where she also serves as an advisor; and the Geriatrics Clinic and Brain Clinic in the Family Medicine Residency Program. Her extensive record of invited presentations, publications, and leadership roles in national and international forums has established her as a respected voice in the field. Through her research, education, and advocacy, Dr. Pendrey continues to improve the quality of care, functional outcomes, and quality of life for older adults nationwide.
Past Recipients of the Outstanding Junior Clinician Educator of the Year Award
2026 Anna Pendrey, MD, DABOM
2025 Omar Amir, MD, MS
2024 Mariah Robertson, MD, MPH
2023 Jennifer Ouellet, MD
2022 Norka Quillatupa, MD
2021 Pei Chen, MD
2020 Nina Blachman, MD, MHPE
2019 Skotti Church, MD
2018 Andrea Wershof Schwartz, MD, MPH
2017 Kristen Thornton, MD, FAAFP, AGSF, CWSP
2016 Jessica Colburn, MD
2015 Shaida Talebreza Brandon, MD
2014 Danelle Cayea, MD, MS
2013 Manuel Eskildsen, MD, MPH, CMD