MCG student leader and women’s health advocate earns Beard Award for care

Puja Punukollu, MD, MBA, a member of the Class of 2026 in the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and a passionate advocate for patient-centered care and health equity, has been named this year’s recipient of the John F. Beard Award for Compassionate Care.

“The John F. Beard Award is Augusta University’s most prestigious award for a health sciences graduate. It reflects the values and character of those it honors and the impact compassionate caregivers can have on patients, fellow students, faculty and staff, and our communities,” said Augusta University President Russell T. Keen, as he presented the award to Punukollu during the MCG Hooding Ceremony on May 7. The Beard Award also includes a $40,000 financial gift.

Punukollu was selected for her leadership, compassion and deep commitment to service. Nominators described her as a student who consistently leads with empathy and purpose.

“Whether mentoring undergraduate researchers, volunteering at student-run clinics or representing MCG on university committees, she leads with empathy, humility and purpose,” one nominator wrote. “She understands the responsibility of the medical profession to advocate for those without a voice and to promote equity in health and education.”

She is also recognized for her ability to connect with patients on a personal level, helping to bring comfort and reassurance in difficult moments. In addition, Punukollu has advanced patient-centered care through her work developing an OB/GYN bioethics curriculum, helping ensure future physicians approach medicine with both clinical excellence and ethical awareness.

Her commitment to health equity extends beyond the clinic. Through her leadership with PERIOD at Augusta University, she expanded access to women’s hygiene products and organized donation drives for underserved populations. She has also served as a volunteer counselor for the Crisis Text Line, supporting individuals in emotional distress through more than 500 conversations and thousands of volunteer hours.

A dedicated student leader, Punukollu has long been a voice for her peers, serving as an 1828 Ambassador and in multiple Student Government Association roles. Most recently, she was elected president of Graduate SGA, representing more than 5,000 graduate and professional students while advocating for student wellness, suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

She is the first BS-to-MD student at Augusta University to pursue a Master of Business Administration alongside her Doctor of Medicine and is the youngest student in her cohort. In addition to her MD/MBA, she will also receive a Graduate Certificate in Bioethics and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership.

Punukollu is also the reigning Miss Augusta University and the first Medical College of Georgia student to hold the title.

“Her platform, ‘Know, Go, Grow: Inspiring a Culture of Preventive Health,’ is proof of her commitment to demonstrating the importance of preventive health across campus and in the community,” said David Hess, MD, MCG’s dean. “Puja came to AU at just 17 years old, and over the years she has grown into a passionate advocate and a student leader who uses every opportunity to help elevate conversations around access to care and community connection. There’s no doubt she will be a powerful force in advancing personalized medicine, guided by a deep commitment to ensuring every patient feels seen, valued and cared for.”

“I have never seen a more committed student leader,” said Scott Wallace, PhD, associate vice president and AU’s dean of students. “She has been excellent in the classroom and clinic and deeply involved across the student experience. She doesn’t just deserve the Beard Award – she lives it every day.”

The $40,000 Beard Award is given annually by Billy Payne and his wife, Martha, to a graduating student in one of Augusta University’s health sciences programs who exemplifies compassion in health care. Payne established the award in 1998 in memory of his father-in-law, John F. Beard.