Drs. Fesser and Boris Pavic honored with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award

The Department of Emergency Medicine is proud to announce that Dr. Nicolas Fesser and Dr. Boris Pavic (R4s) have been selected as recipients of the 2026 UW Medicine Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award.

This recognition honors individuals who embody Dr. King’s legacy of justice, equity and community partnership. Fesser and Pavic demonstrate these values through both their clinical work and their global humanitarian leadership.

As a second-year medical student, Fesser founded Fesser and Friends, a U.S.-based nonprofit supporting children affected by armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Early in residency, he invited Pavic to join as director of external affairs. Together, they partner with Congolese leaders to prevent child soldier recruitment, address underage sexual exploitation and support long-term rehabilitation for children displaced by violence.

Fesser and Pavic are recognized within the department for their work with medical students and junior residents, as well as for their attention to the needs of marginalized patient populations in the emergency department. They have also organized several community-focused fundraising activities during residency that brought together residents, nurses, faculty and staff from across UW Medicine. These events have supported their nonprofit’s ongoing collaboration with Congolese partners who assist children affected by conflict in eastern DRC.

Their efforts reflect values central to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award, including collaboration with community partners and a focus on improving conditions for vulnerable populations.

Congratulations, Drs. Fesser and Pavic!