Paper Competitions

W. Curtis Worthington, Jr. Prize

Dr. W. Curtis Worthington, Jr.

The W. Curtis Worthington Research Paper Competition is named for Dr. W. Curtis Worthington Jr., former director of the Waring Historical Library. The Award was established to encourage students to contribute to the scholarship about the history of health sciences and to reward those whose work is truly exemplary. Winners receive a financial award.

Papers entered in the competition should represent original research in the history of the health sciences. They may cover any historical period and any cultural tradition. Paper topics may include -- but are by no means limited to -- public health policy and the social context of disease and health; the construction of the medical profession and medical institutions; gender and medical theory or practice; learned medical practitioners as social, political, and economic agents; notions of the human body as the subject of health, disease, and therapeutic intervention; medicine and natural philosophy/science; medicine and the humanities; and the development of health science disciplines such as nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and allied health fields. We especially welcome any papers that relate to the history of the health sciences in the Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World. The Waring Library Society will grant one award for an undergraduate essay ($1,000) and one award for a graduate essay ($2,000). Entries must be received by May 31st in each contest year.

This competition is open to any degree-seeking individual attending an accredited college or university. Additionally, interns and residents in accredited programs are eligible in the graduate category. Entries may not have been published previously, nor be submitted more than once. A person may submit only one entry each year. The same person may not win the prize during two consecutive years. The WLS Awards Committee reserves the right to not give any or all awards in a particular year.

For submission guidelines and to submit an application for the Worthington Contest, visit the 2024 W. Curtis Worthington, Jr. Essay Contest Application.

Dr. Patricia L. Blanton History of Dentistry Essay Contest

Dr. Patricia L. Blanton

The Waring Library Society and the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina invite entries for the Dr. Patricia L. Blanton History of Dentistry Essay Contest.

Papers entered in the Contest should represent original research in the history of dentistry. They may cover any historical period and any cultural tradition.

One prize of $1,000 plus a one-year membership in the Waring Library Society will be awarded each year. The Awards Committee reserves the right to not give any or all awards in a particular year.

Entries may not have been published previously, nor be submitted more than once. A person may submit only one entry each year. The same person may not win first prize during two consecutive years. This competition is open to any degree-seeking individual attending MUSC's College of Dental Medicine. Entries must be not fewer than 2,500 words nor more than 5,000 words (not including notes and bibliography). Photographs or illustrations should be included whenever possible or appropriate. Manuscripts should be submitted as a Word document or as an unformatted ASCII-preferred document. Send completed application form as an attachment with your submission; do not include any personal identification information in the text of your submission. Entries must be received by March 31st in each contest year.

For more information about this competition, please contact the Waring Historical Library at 843-792-2288 or waringhl@musc.edu.