Donald A. Pegg Student Leadership Award

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The Donald A. Pegg Lifestyle Medicine Student Leadership Award was created to help empower students and faculty members to create and sustain Lifestyle Medicine Interest Groups (LMIGs), as a way to bring crucial information about exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress resiliency, social connections, and substance use into the curriculum at any school in an easy and effective way—without being part of the core curriculum. It’s a great first step for any health professional school to weave lifestyle medicine into its culture and the lives of its students.

Application Requirements

What are the Donald A. Pegg Student Leadership Award application requirements?

  • Completed Donald A. Pegg Student Leadership Award Application Form
  • Lifestyle Medicine Conference Attendance
    • Applicants are expected to attend the ACLM annual conference, which will be held in person from November 16–19, 2025, at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas.
  • LMIG Orientation Completion
  • Personal Statement – 1-page, single-spaced
    • What are your interests and previous involvement in lifestyle medicine?
    • Any related research or community service?
    • Motivation to start an LMIG and how your journey impacts your commitment.
  • Resume
  • Letter of Faculty Support
    • One-page on letterhead, signed
    • Advisor’s relationship, knowledge of your experience, role, and support for LMIG success
  • List of Committed Speakers
    • Include at least four LM presenters with:
      • Topics and credentials
      • Scheduled presentation dates
      • Alignment with LM pillars or unique perspectives
  • Funding Proposal
    • One-page explanation of how funds will advance LMIG goals on campus and in the community.
    • NOTE: The Taste of Lifestyle Medicine micro-grant provides funding for plant-based meals at LM events. LMIGs can apply for up to $500, four times a year. Click here for more details.

Celebrate This Year's Donald A. Pegg Student Leadership Award Winners

Donald A. Pegg Award Winners

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the application deadline?
Applications for the 2026 Donald A. Pegg Student Leadership Award will open on April 1, 2026, at 11:45 PM PST. The 2025 application period is closed. No exceptions.
What is the Donald A. Pegg Student Leadership Award?
Donald A. Pegg was a businessman living in New York City. In 1986, he suffered a heart attack and stroke at the age of 52. He made a radical transformation in his lifestyle and lived another 24 years. His daughter, Elizabeth Pegg Frates, continues his legacy through lifestyle medicine and this award honors him.
Why was the award established?
The award encourages student leaders to create change through lifestyle medicine at their schools. It recognizes outstanding student leadership and helps launch LMIGs.
What is the history of LMIGs?
The first LMIG was founded at Harvard Medical School in 2009. LMIGs have since expanded globally, empowering students and faculty to promote lifestyle medicine through education and community.
Who receives the award?
Up to five student leaders are selected each year. They must be current students, have completed LMIG Orientation, and plan to start a LMIG at their institution.
What do awardees receive?
Awardees receive $500 in LMIG seed funding, a scholarship and $500 travel stipend to LM2025, and a copy of the Lifestyle Medicine Handbook by Beth Frates, MD.
When will awardees be notified?
Awardees will be notified via email by May 8, 2026.
Can I reapply if I don't win?
Yes, as long as you’re still a student. Runners-up may receive complimentary LM2025 registration.

Donald A. Pegg Student Leadership Award Recipients by Year