John F. Steege, MD
About the Award
Dr. John F. Steege famously pioneered one of the earliest Fellowship Programs with the objective of training academicians. Many of his original fellows have remained in academic positions with several going on to establish their own fellowship programs. Dr. Steege was a leader in the evaluation and treatment of chronic pelvic pain, co-authored the first comprehensive text on chronic pelvic pain, and was an early developer of laparoscopic pain mapping under conscious sedation.
The John F. Steege Mentorship Award, established in 2015, recognizes outstanding AAGL members. This award is supported by an educational grant from CooperSurgical.
How to Nominate
Please complete an application for the John F. Steege Mentorship Award through the Apply Now button below. Award Applications close August 7, 2025.
Award Eligibility
The nominee must demonstrate significant contributions as a mentor to others by meeting the following requirements:
- Provided ten plus years of support and mentorship to future generations of MIG surgeons.
- Must be a member of the AAGL
- Must be a Practicing Physician or a Retired Physician
- Board Members from the FAAGL Board are not eligible for nomination during their active status on the board.
- Nominations or self-nominations will be accepted. Self-nominations must include a letter of reference.
- The winner must attend the Foundation of the AAGL’s Awards Ceremony held at the AAGL Global Congress, November 8-11, 2025, in Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Required Documents for Nominations
All nominations must include the following documents:
- Completion of the award application outlining how the nominee has significantly contributed to the development of MIGS surgeons through ten or more years of mentorship.
- A current curriculum vitae (CV) of the nominee.
- Self-nominations must include a letter of reference.
Award Notification
The Foundation of the AAGL Board will notify the award recipient, nominees and nominators.
Award Winnings:
The winner of this prestigious award will receive:
- Recognition on the Foundation website.
- Recognition in Foundation promotional materials.
- Recognition in the Global Congress Final Program.
- Recognition in the Foundation of the AAGL Awards Ceremony Program.
- Recognition on signage at the AAGL Global Congress congratulating Foundation award winners.
- Recognition on stage and presentation of a crystal commemorative statue at the Foundation of the AAGL Award Ceremony.
Contact Us
If you have questions, contact foundation@aagl.org
Recipients
2024 – Shailesh Puntambekar, MD, PhD
2023 – Arnaud Wattiez, MD
2022 – Resad Paya Pasic, MD, PhD
2021 – Marcello Ceccaroni, MD, PhD
2020 – Keith B. Isaacson, MD
2019 – Javier F. Magrina, MD
2018 – Charles E. Miller, MD, FACOG
2017 – Michael C. Pitter, MD
2016 – Ted L. Anderson, MD, PhD, FACOG, FACS
2015 – John F. Steege, MD