Awards
AAHPM recognizes the importance of celebrating your achievements, in addition to supporting your critical work and passion for the field. Outstanding individuals are recognized with a variety of awards in hospice and palliative care.
Award recipients will receive complimentary registration to the upcoming Annual Assembly, funds toward travel-related expenses, and a commemorative plaque honoring their efforts and contributions to our field.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognizes outstanding contributions and significant publications that have helped shape the direction of the field of hospice and palliative care. All members of AAHPM are eligible for this award. View past winners by clicking Read More.
2023
Joan M. Teno, MD MS
Brown University School of Public Health
Winners
2022: J. Randall Curtis, MD MPH
2021: Geoff Dunn, MD FACS
2020: Ronald J. Crossno, MD HMDC FAAFP FAAHPM
2019: Martha Twaddle, MD HMDC FACP FAAHPM
2018: Timothy E. Quill, MD FACP FAAHPM
2017: C. Porter Storey Jr., MD FACP FAAHPM
2016: Susan Block, MD FAAHPM
2015: Michael H. Levy, MD PhD
2014: Ira R. Byock, MD FAAHPM
2013: Robert M. Arnold, MD FAAHPM
2012: Russell K. Portenoy, MD
2011: Charles von Gunten, MD PhD FACP FAAHPM
2010: Eduardo Bruera, MD FAAHPM
2009: Diane E. Meier, MD FACP FAAHPM
2008: Robert Twycross, DM FRCP
2007: Rosemary Gibson, MSc
2006: Neil MacDonald, MD
2005: Derek Doyle, MD
2004: Florence Wald, MS RN MN
2003: Kathleen M. Foley, MD
2002: Dame Cicely Saunders, OM DBE FRCP
2001: Balfour M. Mount, MD
Gerald H. Holman Distinguished Service Award
Recognizes outstanding and dedicated service to the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. The award will be presented to an individual (or group) that has advanced the mission of the AAHPM in a significant and lasting way. All members of AAHPM are eligible for this award.
Winners
2022: Kyle Edmonds, MD FAAHPM
2021: AAHPM Entrustable Professional Activities and Curricular Milestones Workgroup
2020: Russel K. Portenoy, MD
2019: Christian T. Sinclair, MD FAAHPM
2018: Phillip E. Rodgers, MD FAAHPM
2017: David M McGrew, MD HMDC FAAHPM
2016: David Casarett, MD MA FAAHPM
2015: Steven (Skip) Radwany, MD FAAHPM
2014: Chad Kollas, MD FAAHPM FACP FCLM
2013: Daniel Fischberg, MD PhD FAAHPM
2012: Amy P. Abernethy, MD FACP FAAHPM
2011: Charles Sasser, MD FACP FAAHPM
2010: Jean S. Kutner, MD MSPH FAAHPM
2009: James F. Cleary, MD FAChPM
2008: Dale Lupu, PhD
2007: Paul Rousseau, MD FAAHPM
2006: Porter Storey, MD FACP FAAHPM
2005: David Weissman, MD
2004: Charles F. von Gunten, MD PhD FACP FAAHPM
2003: Susan Block, MD FAAHPM
2002: Ira R. Byock, MD FAAHPM
2001: Gerald H. Holman, MD FRCP FAAP and Michael H. Levy, MD PhD
Josefina B. Magno Distinguished Hospice Physician Award
Recognizes a hospice medical director or hospice physician who provides the highest quality services and innovative programs and who demonstrates exemplary dedication to the practice of palliative medicine in a hospice setting.
2023
Patrick White, MD HMDC FACP PhD FAAHPM
Winners
2022: John Manfredonia, DO HMDC FACOFP FAAHPM
2021: Ruth Thomson, DO MBA HMDCB FACOI FAAHPM
2020: Todd R. Coté, MD HMDC FAAFP FAAHPM
2019: Kevin Dieter, MD FAAHPM
2018: Joel S. Policzer, MD FACP FAAHPM
2017: Joan Harrold, MD MPH HMDC FACP FAAHPM
2016: Jeffrey Spiess, MD FAAHPM
2015: Edward W. Martin, MD MPH FACO
2014: Ronald J. Crossno, MD FAAFP FAAHPM
2013: Janet H. Bull, MD FAAHPM
2012: Gail Austin Cooney, MD FAAHPM
2011: Chuck Wellman, MD FAAHPM
2010: Barry M. Kinzbrunner, MD FAAHPM
2009: David M. McGrew, MD FAAHPM
2008: Laurel H. Herbst, MD
2007: Perry Fine, MD
2006: Cheryl Arenella, MD MPH
2005: Martha Twaddle, MD FAAHPM
Distinguished Hospice Interdisciplinary Team Member Award
This award recognizes a hospice interdisciplinary team member who provides the highest quality services and innovative programs and who demonstrates exemplary dedication to the practice of palliative care in a hospice setting.
Winners
2022: Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD MA MDE BCPS FAAHPM
Richard Payne Outstanding Achievement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award
This award will be presented annually to an individual who demonstrates strong, lasting, personal, and professional commitment to improving care for diverse, vulnerable, and underrepresented patient populations. All members of AAHPM are eligible for this award.
2023
Ramona Rhodes, MD MPH MSCS
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System/University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Winners
2022: Tammie E. Quest, MD FAAHPM
2021: Ronit Elk, PhD FAAHPM
2020: Kimberly S. Johnson, MD MSHS
Humanities Award
Recognizes person(s) whose work has advanced the relationship between humanities and palliative care, and who have employed the discipline of the humanities to improve end-of-life care through community or professional education. Candidates for the award include poets, artists, musicians, medical educators, and others involved in medical humanities in the broadest terms.
2023
John Mondanaro, PhD LCAT MT-BC CCLS
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital
Winners
2022: Nicole Robinson, MFA
2021: Roshi Joan Halifax, PhD
2020: Ronald M. Epstein, MD
2019: Judith Redwing Keyssar, RN
2018: Frank Ostaseski
2017: Lucille Marchand, MD BSN FAAHPM
2016: Candy Chang
2015: Christina M. Puchalski, MD FACP FAAHPM
2014: Barbara Sourkes, PhD
2013: Balfour M Mount, MD
2012: David Dosa, MD MPH
2011: Atul Gawande, MD MPHMA
2010: Rachel Naomi Remen, MD
2009: Authors of the Last Lecture; Randy Pausch, PhD and Jeffrey Zaslow
2008: Deidre Scherer
2007: Joan Didion
2006: Bill Moyers
2005: Jack Coulehan, MD MPH
2004: Robert Pope
2001: David Barnard, PhD and Sandra I. Bertman, PhD
Award for Excellence in Scientific Research in Palliative Care
Recognizes meaningful, exemplary research contributions to the field of hospice and palliative care. The recipient is expected to present his/her research within the broad context of the field of hospice and palliative care. All members of AAHPM are eligible for this award.
2023
Amy Kelley, MD MSHS FAAHPM
National Institute on Aging, NIH
Winners
2022: Areej El-Jawahri, MD
2021: Melissa Aldridge, PhD MBA
2020: Rebecca Sudore, MD FAAHPM
2019: Chris Feudtner, MD PhD MPH
2018: Holly Prigerson, PhD
2017: Jennifer S. Temel, MD
2016: Amy Abernethy, MD PhD FAAHPM
2015: David Currow, BMed MPH FRACP FAChPM and Karen Steinhauser, PhD
2014: Joanne Wolfe, MD MPH FAAHPM
2013: R. Sean Morrison, MD FAAHPM
2012: J. Randall Curtis, MD MPH
2011: Harvey Chochinov, MD PhD FRCPC
2010: Sebastiano Mercadante, MD
2009: Vincent Mor, PhD
2008: Irene Higginson, BMedSci BMBS FFPHM PhD
2007: Betty Ferrell, PhD RN FAAN
2006: James Tulsky, MD FAAHPM
2005: Joan Teno MD MS
2004: Eduardo Bruera, MD FAAHPM
Award for Excellence in Education and Training
This award recognizes, encourages and rewards an AAHPM member who has enhanced the practice and profession of hospice and palliative care through education. The educator has made significant, outstanding contributions to education in hospice and palliative care. Education may be in the form of teaching, directing, mentoring, writing, and/or presenting to multiple levels of audiences including physician, interprofessional, resident, fellow, student.
All members of AAHPM are eligible for this award. Special emphasis will be placed on educators who, through their example and methods have expanded patient connection and communication skills; stimulated the personal and professional growth of others.
2023
Steven Pantilat, MD FACP FAAHPM
University of California, San Francisco
Winners
2022: Janet Abrahm, MD FACP FAAHPM
2021: Bob Arnold, MD FACP FAAHPM
Early Career Investigator Award
Recognizes a member of AAHPM who is developing as a research leader, showing promise of making contributions to the development of a scientific foundation for practice and research, conducting or facilitating research by others that advances the field of hospice and palliative medicine, has a beginning record of scientific publications, and contributes to the AAHPM community at large. The nominees for this award will not yet have achieved independence as an investigator (ie having R01 level funding or its equivalent). All members of AAHPM are eligible for this award.
2022
Erica Kaye, MD MPH FAAHPM
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Winners
2022: Kate Courtright, MD MS
2021: Laura Gelfman, MD MPH FAAHPM
2020: Thomas LeBlanc, MD MA HMS FAAHPM
2019: Dio Kavalieratos, PhD
2018: Abby Rosenberg, MD MS
2017: Arif Kamal, MD MBA MHS FACP FAAHPM
2016: Yael Schenker, MD
The State of the Science in Palliative Care Research Mentoring Award
This award was created to honor the fundamental necessity of research mentorship as an essential pillar of a robust and growing palliative care scientific community. The award recognizes prominent senior scientists in palliative and hospice care who have demonstrated: 1) a sustained, high-impact program of research that has promoted the development of other researchers in the area, 2) visionary leadership on a national level to advance early career palliative care scientists, and 3) inspirational mentorship to future generations of palliative care researchers.
Winners
2022: J. Randall Curtis, MD MPH
Presidential Citation(s)
These award(s) acknowledge individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of hospice and palliative medicine but do not qualify for consideration in other award categories. Recommendations would be made by the President, Board members or leadership, and approved by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee. This recognition would not have to be given each year – only when suitable and exceptional candidates are identified and selected. It would also be limited to a maximum of three recipients (individuals or organizations) in a given year.
2023
The Bogetz Family
In appreciation for their dedication to educating the field on the intersection of mental illness and palliative care. In a tribute to Alyssa L. Bogetz, their generous Educational Fund to Integrate Care for Patients with Mental Illness into Hospice and Palliative Medicine will ensure educational offerings at Assembly 2023 and beyond addressing the psychological and psychiatric issues related to serious illness.
Vivek Murthy, MD MBA
As the Nation’s Doctor – the 21st Surgeon General of the United States – Dr. Vivek Murthy has focused much of his work, research, and public platform on how the nation can recover from the pandemic. Dr. Murthy has used the platform of the Public Health Service to elevate the discussion on the mental health crisis in the United State. He has often purported that combatting loneliness through social connections is as vital to our health as food or water. He has spoken about youth mental health and highlighted the increasingly rampant burnout among healthcare workers. Dr. Murthy outlined workplaces’ foundational role in promoting the health and well-being of workers and the communities they serve. Most recently, released a Surgeon General's Framework for Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace.
Balfour Mount, MD OC OQ
Dr. Mount, a Canadian surgeon, is widely considered the father of palliative care in North America. The founding Director of the Royal Victoria Hospital Palliative Care Service, Palliative Care McGill, and the McGill Programs in Integrated Whole Person Care, Dr. Mount, has been instrumental in building palliative care services in Canada. Dr. Mount is the Eric M. Flanders Emeritus Professor of Palliative Care at McGill University. In 1985, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada to recognize his extraordinary work in caring for the seriously ill.
Winners
2022: Association Management Center, Senator Tammy Baldwin, and National Institute on Aging
2021: Mr. Andy Baxter, Center to Advance Palliative Care, and Dr. Patrice Harris
2020: Y.C. Ho/Helen and Michael Chiang Foundation, Blyth Taylor Lord, and Sally Weir CAE
2019: US Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY); Palliative Care Research Cooperative (PCRC); and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
2018: Patrick H. Conway, MD MSc; Jeri L. Miller, PhD; and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
2017: J. Donald Schumacher, Psyd, Cambia Health Foundation, and Sue Ramthun.
2016: Ellen Goodman of the Conversation Project, The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, The California Healthcare Foundation
2015: Rebecca Kirch, JD, Mary Callaway, MME and Hearst Foundations
2014: Jean Acevedo, LHRM CPC CHC CENTC, Amy J. Berman, MS RN, American Society of Clinical Oncology
2013: Christine K. Cassel, MD, National Palliative Care Research Center (NPCRC), Senator Ronald L. Wyden
2012: Judy Lentz, RN MSN NHA, Myra J. Christopher, The Pain & Policy Studies Group
2011: Senator Sharon Carstairs, Canada, Lynn Hill-Spragens,The American Cancer Society
2010: Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Gail Sheehy, Steve Smith, CAE
2009: Tom Batiuk, Alexis Bakos, Dorothy Moga
Paper Awards
These awards recognize the top 5% of papers, as determined by the Scientific and Quality Improvement Subcommittee during the Annual Assembly abstract review and scoring process.
Winners
2022: Rebecca N. Hutchinson, MD MPH; David Wang, MD
2021: Angelo P. Canedo, DO; Briana Ketterer, MD MS; Laura A. Petrillo, MD; Andrew Wenger, DO
2020: Aanchal Satija, BDS MSc; Grant Smith, MD; Mamta Bhatnagar, MD MS; Julie Childers, MD PhD; Prasanna Ananth, MD MPH
2019: Alana Thomas, MD; Rebecca Sudore, MD FAAHPM; David Wang, MD
2018: Eunice Omoyeni, MBBS PGD DIPPALMED (UTC) MPHIL and Melissa Wachterman, MD MPH
2017: Rebecca Sudore, MD and Stacy M. Fischer, MD
2016: Amy Kelley, MD MS MSHS and Susan Miller, PhD MPH
Scientific and Quality Improvement Poster Awards
These awards recognize the best poster in each research topic category and the best quality improvement project poster.
2022 Winners
Clinical Research: Hunter Groninger, MD FAAHPM
Educational Research: Esme Finlay, MD
Health Services Research/Population-Based Research: Stephanie Nothelle, MD
Quality Improvement Project: Alana Sagin, MD
2021 Winners
Clinical Research: Susan Hickman, PhD
Educational Research: F Amos A. Bailey, MD FACP FAAHPM
Population Research: Alvin Moss, MD FACP FAAHPM
Quality Improvement Project: Milana Zaurova, MD
2020 Winners
Clinical Research: Christopher Woodrell, MD
Educational Research: Stacie Levine, MD FAAHPM
Health Research: Jared Lowe, MD
Instrument Development/Psychometric Validation: Anthony Casacchia, MD
Population Research: Jared Lowe, MD
Quality Improvement Project: Rachel Rodenbach, MD and Jacqueline Sheehan, MD
2019 Winners
Clinical Research: Erica Kaye, MD
Educational Research: Kathleen Broglio, DNP ACHPN ANP NP CHPN FPCN
Health Research: Laura Schoenherr, MD
Population Research: Erica Kaye, MD
Quality Improvement Project: Anne Kinderman, MD
2018 Winners
Clinical Research: Melissa Teply, MD FACP
Educational Research: Suresh Reddy, MD
Health Services Research: Kayla Sheehan, BA MS
Instrument Development/Psychometric Validation: Ashima Lal, MD
Population Research: Anne Kinderman, MD and Chad Kollas, MD FACP FCLM FAAHPM
Quality Improvement Project: Jennifer Reidy, MD FAAHPM
Case Poster Awards
These awards recognize the best poster submitted by a professional and a professional in training.
Winners
2022: Jade A Connor, MSc
2021: Shannon Devlin, MD
2020: Sarah Ehrman, MD
2019: Hana Yu, DO
2018: Jessica Lynch, MD
Project on Death in America (PDIA) Palliative Medicine National Leadership Award
These awards were sunsetted in 2020. Recognizes a physician leader who has advanced the field of palliative care by educating of the next generation of palliative care leaders. The award program promotes the visibility and prestige of physicians in both academic and clinical settings who are committed to mentoring future leaders and serving as role models for other health professionals engaged in improving the care of the dying.
Winners
2020: F. Amos Bailey, MD FACP FAAHPM
2019: Thomas J. Smith, MD FAAHPM
2018: Eduardo Bruera, MD FAAHPM
2017: Michael W. Rabow, MD FAAHPM
2016: Stephen McPhee, MD
2015: Nancy Hutton, MD FAAP FAAHPM
2014: Co-creators of GeriPal; Eric Widera, MD & Alexander K. Smith MD MPH MS
2013: Christine S. Ritchie, MD MSPH FAAHPM
2012: Anthony L. Back, MD
2011: Robert Arnold, MD FAAHPM
2010: R. Sean Morrison, MD FAAHPM
2009: Declan Walsh, MSc FACP FRCP (Edin)
2008: Russell K. Portenoy, MD
2007: Diane Meier, MD FACP FAAHPM
2006: Susan Block, MD FAAHPM and J Andrew Billings, MD
Project on Death in America (PDIA) Palliative Medicine Community Leadership Award
These awards were sunsetted in 2020. Recognizes a physician leader who has advanced the field of palliative care in their communities through distinctive mentorship and leadership. This award recognizes physicians in both academic and clinical settings who are committed to mentoring future leaders and serving as role models for other health professionals engaged in improving the care of the dying.
Winners
2020: Sarah Friebert, MD FAAP FAAHPM
2019: John A Mulder, MD HMDC FAAHPM
2018: Alexander R. Nesbitt, MD
2017: Carol A. Luhrs, MD FAAHPM
2016: Kenneth Pituch, MD
2015: David B. Oliver, PhD and Debra Parker Oliver, PhD MSW
2014: Bruce L. Miller, MD
2013: Scott T. Shreve, DO
2012: Bernard J. Hammes, PhD
2011: Ira Byock, MD FAAHPM
2010: Timothy E. Quill, MD FACP FAAHPM
2009: Pallimed creator and contributors: Thomas E. Quinn, APRN MSN AOCN CHPN; Christian T. Sinclair, MD, FAAHPM, and Drew Rosielle, MD FAAHPM
2008: Terence L. Gutgsell, MD
2007: Ann Allegre, MD FACP FAAHPM