DC Central Kitchen has been awarded the Edward R. Loveland Memorial Award for a Distinguished Contribution in the Health Field by the American College of Physicians (ACP), the national organization of internal medicine physicians. DCCK was recognized at ACP’s annual Convocation ceremony on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA, where ACP hosted its annual scientific conference, Internal Medicine Meeting 2026.
Per the ACP, the Edward R. Loveland Memorial Award for a Distinguished Contribution in the Health Field is “bestowed upon a layperson or lay organization for a distinguished contribution advancing the health care of adults, including health care equity and justice.”
“Over the years, we’ve been so honored to be recognized by our peers for the work that we do and sometimes, out of the blue, we’re recognized by folks that we never imagined are even paying attention to what it is that we’re doing,” said Mike Curtin Jr., DC Central Kitchen CEO. Curtin accepted the award on behalf of DCCK. “The American College of Physicians, an incredible body of folks working in the field of internal medicine, folks that are changing lives, saving lives, doing miraculous work on a daily basis, looked at us and said, “Wow, the work they’re doing has an impact.” To be in a room with thousands of physicians who are healing people, treating individuals, and are interested in the work that we do every day, really meant something different. It was incredibly meaningful and impactful to answer their questions.”
The number one question Curtin answered was how people can get involved in our work. “They wanted to know how they could take what we do and apply it to their community. It was really something special and something I really hadn’t experienced in the 21 years that I’ve been at DC Central Kitchen.”
DC Central Kitchen was first nominated for this national award by someone who made the choice to become a consistent volunteer in our kitchen—and who also happened to be a decorated physician and ACP member! If you’d like to get involved in our work and make an impact in improving the health and wellness in our community, we offer volunteer shifts at our headquarters, the Klein Center for Jobs and Justice, 365 days a year. Thank you again to the American College of Physicians for this incredible honor!