About the Giambalvo Fund
The Joan F. Giambalvo Fund for the Advancement of Women provides scholarships of up to $10,000 to support research advancing the study of women in the medical profession and strengthening the AMA's ability to identify and address the issues affecting women physicians and medical students.
The first award was granted in 2006. To date, 36 research awards have been granted.
2025 Giambalvo Fund recipient
Learn about the recipient of the 2025 Joan F. Giambalvo Fund for the Advancement of Women and read about the research project.
Project Title: Evaluating Gender Disparities in Procedure Reimbursements between Male and Female Physicians
Award winner
- Sarah K. Rapoport, MD, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Project summary
The project investigates persistent gender disparities in Medicare payments to otolaryngologists, building on evidence that female physicians receive lower reimbursements than males despite similar productivity. Using a dual-database approach, it integrates Medicare billing data with institutional variables to analyze whether differences in coding practices, practice settings, and compensation models contribute to payment gaps.
Multivariate and mixed-effects models will identify modifiable factors driving inequities. A multidisciplinary team, including a health economist and biostatistician, will guide rigorous analysis to inform interventions promoting gender payment equity.
“I am grateful to have been selected to receive the Giambalvo Award. This recognition affirms the importance of advancing equity for women in medicine. I am eager to carry this work forward, while also feeling a healthy sense of nervousness that reflects the responsibility of doing justice to the mission of this award. Above all, I am honored by the opportunity to contribute to a future where women physicians are valued and compensated equitably for their work.”
Past recipients
Learn about the past recipients of the Joan F. Giambalvo Fund for the Advancement of Women.
About Joan F. Giambalvo, MD
Joan Fara Giambalvo received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and, in 1956, her medical degree from Temple University Medical School. Dr. Giambalvo was an intern at Temple University Hospital and certified in her residency by the American Board of Anesthesiology.
Dr. Giambalvo passed away on May 14, 1971, at age 39, of liposarcoma.
