ACR Seeks Awards and Masters Nominations

Each year, the ACR recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through an awards program, and is currently seeking nominations for the following:

Presidential Gold Medal: The highest award that the ACR can bestow, the Presidential Gold Medal is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements in rheumatology over an entire career. Candidates will have made important contributions in multiple areas such as clinical medicine, research, education, or administration, and the recipient will receive a $5,000 cash award. This award is supported by an endowed fund created by the past presidents of the ACR and managed by the ACR Research and Education Foundation. Active and Emeritus ACR members are eligible.

Distinguished Service Award: Awarded to an ACR member for outstanding and sustained service to the ACR. The recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award.

Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award: (formerly Clinical Research Award) Awarded to a clinical scientist making outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology. The recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award.

Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award: (formerly Distinguished Rheumatologist Award) Awarded to a rheumatologist who has made outstanding contributions in clinical medicine, clinical scholarship, or education. The recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award.

Distinguished Basic Investigator Award: (formerly Distinguished Investigator Award) Awarded to a basic scientist making outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology. The recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award.

Pictured left to right are ACR President Stanley B. Cohen, MD; 2009 ACR Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award winner Allen C. Steere, MD; and Immediate ACR Past President Sherine Gabriel, MD, MSc.

REF Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award: Awarded to an active ACR or ARHP member for their contributions to the rheumatology profession through outstanding and ongoing mentoring. The recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award.

Paulding Phelps Award: Awarded to a clinical rheumatologist for outstanding service to patients, community, and the practice of medicine. The recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award.

Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award: Awarded to a young physician scientist, age 45 or younger, who has made outstanding independent contributions to basic or clinical research in the field of rheumatology. The recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award.

ACR Masters: Recognition as a Master of the ACR is one of the highest honors a member of the ACR can receive. The designation of Master is conferred on ACR members, age 65 or older (by October 1), who have made outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or service to their patients, students, and profession. This honor is usually bestowed upon no more than 15 members per year.

Each year, award recipients express feelings of gratitude and honor that their hard work and contributions to the field of rheumatology are recognized in this way. “It is a special honor to receive the ACR Distinguished Service Award,” says Carol Lindsley, MD, recipient of the 2009 award. “I have enjoyed serving on many ACR committees and interacting with my rheumatology colleagues in this outstanding organization. I urge every member to think about their colleagues, former classmates, and others that they have worked with during their career and to nominate individuals for an ACR Award of Distinction or Master designation. It is very important to honor the work of our members and to showcase their accomplishments to the community.”

The deadline to nominate a colleague is May 15, and award recipients are recommended to the ACR board of directors by the Committee on Nominations and Appointments in late summer. Awards are presented at the ACR Annual Scientific Meeting’s Opening Lecture.

Visit www.rheumatology.org for more information and to nominate a colleague. If you have any questions about nominations, contact Julie Anderson, ACR director of administration and governance, at [email protected].