Van Durme was nominated for the award by College of Medicine students. Criteria for nomination include, among other things, possession of the following qualities and characteristics: positive mentoring skills, involvement in community service, compassion/sensitivity, collaboration with students and patients and modeling ethics of the profession.

The AAMC annually recognizes a medical school faculty physician who exemplifies the qualities of a caring and compassionate mentor in the teaching and advising of medical students. The candidate also must demonstrate the desirable personal qualities necessary to the practice of patient-centered medicine.