2026 Evans Awards
Congratulations to the 2026 Evans Award recipients: Resident Claire Quinlan and medical student Skye Alexandra Holm.
The Robert S. Evans Awards are presented each year to the second-year medicine resident(s) and the graduating student(s) in medicine who most clearly reflect the qualities of warmth, understanding, and concern for the needs of others exemplified by and expressed through the life of Dr. Robert Evans, who was chief of medicine at Seattle VA Medical Center for many years.
Some comments from their nominations:
Claire Quinlan
"Just the best attitude possible. Incredibly patient-centered, kind, conscientious, and talented. Claire's default approach is to do everything necessary, and she does this with a smile and incredible heart. Working with Dr Quinlan inspires me to do better."
"Claire is one of the most thoughtful and deliberate communicators I have ever met. A kind, kind soul to the core. It's unmistakable when you see it. One of the VA nurses once brought a gift to work just for her, and I thought: Of course it's for Claire, who else would it be?"
"Claire consistently demonstrates going above and beyond to center the patient in their own care, often adding on primary care patients over her lunch hour or double booking to be able to meet patient needs. I see the way her patients have come to trust her through her consistent being there for them, calling when they don't come to their visits, and coordinating their needs in a way that has earned her an invite to a daughter's quinceañera in Tukwila, patients bringing their dogs into clinic so they can meet Claire, and they come far distances to get to have her as their doctor."
Skye Alexandra Holm
"Skye really goes the extra mile for her patients. She is gentle and non-judgmental, handling every interaction with superhuman patience. I once witnessed her filling out a YMCA financial aid form with the assistance of an interpreter, for a patient who wanted more opportunities to engage in physical activity."
"I had the benefit of working with Skye both on wards and in evening clinic and I am consistently impressed with her ability to connect with patients and build trust both in an outpatient and inpatient setting. Skye is thoughtful, meets patients where they are and makes all those around her better providers. It is a joy to watch her practice medicine and I look forward to seeing her continue to grow in residency."