The Foundation opens nominations for the Dr. Buz Cooper Award and invites grant proposals to strengthen physician engagement with drivers of health

BOSTON, August 11, 2025 – Today, The Physicians Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the health of all Americans by announcing two major initiatives focused on addressing drivers of health (DOH). The Foundation is now accepting nominations for The Dr. Buz Cooper Award for Addressing Drivers of Health, honoring a physician who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in connecting patients with the resources they need to live healthier lives. In tandem, the Foundation is issuing a request for proposals from medical associations for a grant to assist physicians in identifying and addressing DOH in clinical settings. These initiatives underscore the Foundation’s focus on improving health outcomes—particularly in the face of rising chronic disease—by tackling the root causes of poor health, not just the symptoms.

 “Chronic disease is one of the most pressing health challenges of our time, and it is often driven by factors outside the exam room,” said Gary Price, MD, president of The Physicians Foundation. “Chronic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease, are dramatically impacted when people struggle to access healthy food, stable housing or reliable transportation. Through the Dr. Buz Cooper Award and the Drivers of Health Grant Program, we are supporting physicians who are stepping up to treat these upstream causes and champion real change for our patients.”

Dr. Buz Cooper Award for Addressing Drivers of Health

The Physicians Foundation announced a call for nominations for The Dr. Buz Cooper Award for Addressing Drivers of Health. In alignment with the Foundation’s work to recognize and act on challenges related to drivers of health (DOH), this prestigious award honors a physician who has gone above and beyond to connect their patients with the social, economic, educational and environmental resources that they need for their overall health. The award’s namesake is Richard (Buz) Cooper, MD, author of Poverty and the Myths of Health Care Reform. Last year, Jubril Oyeyemi, M.D., was honored for his transformative work, connecting patients with primary care and critical health resources.

Nominees should be physicians who are new or mid-career, meaning they have practiced fewer than 15 years, and who demonstrate physician leadership in the relevant award category. Award recipients will earn recognition on a national level and take part in thought leadership opportunities through the Foundation to share perspectives on improving health care delivery. The nominations will remain open through September 12, 2025.

Drivers of Health Grant Program

The Physicians Foundation is seeking up to five medical associations to develop capacity, resources and data collection to support physicians in their understanding of DOH and its integration into their medical practices as part of their regular patient care. Grant proposals are due September 8, 2025, and are expected to be implemented over a period of one to two years, with a funding limit of $75,000.

Physicians are often on the frontlines of recognizing the health consequences of poor diet quality, such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, which disproportionately affect patients in food-insecure households. According to the 2022 Survey of America’s Physicians, 8 in 10 physicians (80%) believe that the United States cannot improve health outcomes or reduce health care costs without addressing DOH. This grant program supports efforts to shift the focus from food quantity to nutritional quality, empowering physicians to connect patients with resources that prioritize whole, minimally processed foods in alignment with national goals to improve population health and reduce preventable disease.

“At The Physicians Foundation, we are steadfast in our commitment to addressing the drivers of health that so profoundly impact our nation’s wellbeing,” said Bob Seligson, CEO. “Through research, education and innovative grant-making, we strive to empower physicians to address these drivers and ultimately enhance health outcomes for all. Addressing these drivers is imperative—not only to reduce health disparities and costs, but also to support the wellbeing of both patients and physicians across the country.”

For more information and to apply, visit the following pages:

• To learn more and nominate a physician for the Dr. Buz Cooper Award by September 12, register and login to the online application system, using the access code award25.
• To apply for the Drivers of Health Grant Request for Proposal by September 8, register and login to the online application system, using the access code DOH25.

About The Physicians Foundation

The Physicians Foundation is a public charity seeking to advance the work of practicing physicians and improve patient access to high-quality, cost-efficient care. As the U.S. health care system continues to evolve, The Physicians Foundation is steadfast in strengthening the physician-patient relationship, supporting medical practices’ sustainability and helping physicians navigate the changing health care system. The Physicians Foundation pursues its mission through research, education and innovative grant making that improves physician wellbeing, strengthens physician leadership, addresses drivers of health and lifts physician perspectives. For more information, visit www.physiciansfoundation.org