Listed in alphabetical order by last name.
Stephanie Kim Cheok, MD
"Dr. Cheok has been one of the most influential mentors in my medical career. During one of the most challenging periods of medical school, she never wavered in her support or belief in me. She has consistently made herself available to offer thoughtful guidance, honest advice, and encouragement when I needed it most. Beyond mentorship, she has been an unwavering advocate, personally reaching out to colleagues and program leadership to create opportunities that I would not have had otherwise. Her willingness to invest her time and reputation in her trainees reflects the type of physician and leader I aspire to become. She leads with humility, compassion, and integrity, while expecting excellence from those she mentors. Dr. Cheok has shown me that outstanding physicians are defined not only by their clinical expertise, but by the way they lift others throughout their careers. Her mentorship has shaped both my professional aspirations and my confidence in pursuing them, and I am deeply grateful for her lasting impact."
Nominated by Hailey Mattheisen
Xiaoqian Fang, MD, PhD
"Dr. Fang is my research mentor and professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine. She is a most enthusiastic and welcoming personality; she has been an supportive mentor, helping me embark on my first research project and always staying outside of lecture to help me review concepts and give me one-on-one guidance. She masterfully balances allowing students to be independent in their research ventures but also being available and willing to help wherever necessary. She has made medical school less daunting and more exciting thanks to her unwavering commitment to helping her students succeed. She is a great role model; I hope that I can also inspire and support students when I am a physician as she does."
Nominated by Andrea Ramos
Harumi Gomi, MD, MPH, MHPE
"Dr. Harumi Gomi has had a tremendous impact on her patients, colleagues, and particularly earlier career physicians and learners throughout the course of her entire career. I came to know her through serving on the American College of Physicians (ACP) Board of Governors. We have collaborated on multiple programs and all of them were made richer and more robust because of her thoughtful insights, expertise, and generous contributions. She is especially revered by her female mentees and learners in Japan as she serves as a role model for successful women physicians and leaders in a country where women are not well-represented in medicine or leadership.
Her trailblazing leadership as the first ever female Governor of the ACP Japan Chapter has been outstanding, especially with regard to the expansion of global programming and collaborations. To accomplish this, Dr. Gomi has made it possible for her members and learners to achieve excellence in scholarly work, to present and attend international meetings, and to network and connect with global colleagues around shared interests. She is a very accomplished clinician and educator and constantly seeks to expand the scope of opportunities for those around her so that they may reach their full potential. Dr. Gomi has been an invaluable mentor, supporter, and inspiring role model for me and many more that she touches and leads. For all of these reasons and more, I hope she will be given the highest consideration for the AMA Inspiration Award. Thank you!"
Nominated by Tammy Lin
Lisa E. Heichberger, MD, DABLM
"It is with deep respect that I nominate Dr. Heichberger as an Iron Woman in recognition of her extraordinary resilience, leadership, and unwavering dedication to others.
In the face of the unimaginable loss of her 18-year-old daughter, Dr. Heichberger continues to lead with grace, strength, and steadfast commitment to her residents, patients, and institution. Her ability to carry personal grief while remaining fully present for others reflects remarkable character and courage.
As program director, she sets a standard of compassionate and principled leadership. She knows her residents not only professionally but personally—remembering their families and milestones—fostering a culture of belonging and mentorship. Her respect for patients is equally evident in her professionalism and attention to detail, consistently honoring them with dignity.
Dr. Heichberger leads with both authority and heart. Her resilience, compassion, and enduring impact make her truly deserving of recognition as an Inspirational Woman."
Nominated by Beshoy Benyamen
Billie Luke Jackson, MD
"I am honored to recommend Dr. Billie Luke Jackson for the 2026 American Medical Association Women Physicians Section Inspiration Award. She has profoundly influenced my professional and personal journey through her exceptional leadership, steadfast mentorship, and unwavering commitment to physician advocacy. She has taught me that leadership is rooted in service, integrity, and the responsibility to improve healthcare for both patients and physicians.
Since establishing her dermatology practice in Macon in 1988, Dr. Jackson has devoted nearly four decades to organized medicine. She has served as President of the Bibb County Medical Society, Vice Chair of the Medical Association of Georgia Board of Directors, and, for more than two decades, as a Georgia Delegate to the American Medical Association. Through these roles, she has ensured that the voices of Georgia physicians are heard while championing physician-led care and sound health policy.
While her accomplishments are remarkable, it is her character that has inspired me most. Dr. Jackson leads with wisdom, humility, integrity, and a wonderful sense of humor. She has generously invested in my growth as a physician leader, encouraging me to become actively engaged in organized medicine and supporting my recent service as President of the Bibb County Medical Society. She also reminds me that caring for ourselves is essential to caring for others. At state and national meetings, before long days of committee work and House of Delegates sessions begin, we often meet before sunrise to walk together for an hour. Those walks have become some of my most meaningful moments, filled with conversations about leadership, advocacy, work-life integration, and the importance of health and well-being."
Nominated by Dr. Keisha Callins
Janet C. Jacobson, MD
"Dr. Jacobson is such an inspiration to me and others around me. A veteran and supporter of women, she has always been working for the cause, always pushing forward, always getting things done. She is currently a medical director of Planned Parenthood of California.
This LAtimes article probably does it better than me."
Nominated by Steven Wang
Niru Prasad, MD
"Dr. Niru Prasad is a board certified pediatric and emergency medicine physicians who has dedicated her life to taking care of the children. She has actively participated not only in clinical medicine but also in teaching the residents and medical students. She has authored 2 educational books and is donating the proceeds to the orphanage in India. She has a educational health talk show on Bloomfield hills community TV channel ( channel 15) . Her work is very inspiring to all of us . I would like to nominate her for the AMA Inspiration Award."
Nominated by Mona Hardas
"Dr. Prasad has dedicated 25 years to hosting Health Talk on Bloomfield Community Television, educating our community on important health topics. She generously supports fellow physicians by featuring them on her show, helping them grow their careers while expanding public health awareness."
Nominated by Sonali Hemachandra
