Award Nominations

Nominations for Physiatry '25 in Phoenix are now closed.

Questions? Email Amy Schnappinger, Program Manager, or at 410-654-1000.

Our Awards

Distinguished AAP Member Award

This award category is reserved for the most distinguished physiatrist, an individual who is of international status, recognized as a major contributor to the field by virtue of teaching, research and scholarly publications, and noted for dedicated service to the AAP. Distinguished members have the right to vote and hold office and have a lifetime exemption from any membership dues or fees. No more than one award will be given in any particular year.

Nominations should include (1) nomination letter than includes your name, the nominee's name and the title of the award (2) nominee's CV (3) up to three additional letters of support uploaded together as one file or one letter co-signed.

Distinguished Academician Award

This award is given to an AAP member who has achieved distinction and peer recognition regionally or nationally by virtue of excellence as a teacher, researcher and/or administrator. Those honored as Distinguished AAP Members are not eligible for the award. No more than one award will be given in any particular year.

Nominations should include (1) nomination letter than includes your name, the nominee's name and the title of the award (2) nominee's CV (3) up to three additional letters of support uploaded together as one file or one letter co-signed.

Early Career Academician Award

This award honors an academic physiatrist who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the areas of teaching, research and/or administration. The nominee must have an academic rank of Associate Professor or less and be nominated within 10 years of completing clinical residency or fellowship training or 7 years after the completion of a funded, mentored research award. Up to two awards may be given to AAP members in any particular year.

Nominations should include (1) nomination letter than includes your name, the nominee's name and the title of the award (2) nominee's CV (3) up to three additional letters of support uploaded together as one file or one letter co-signed.

Outstanding AAP Service Award

This honor is given to an AAP member who has made major contributions to the AAP, its membership and the academic PM&R community through participation in an association program, task force or council. The award recognizes exceptional efforts to improve and benefit the specialty through significant contributions to programs, initiatives, councils and activities. In addition, the nominee should demonstrate leadership and work to advance the efforts of the AAP. Individuals may be nominated and councils are invited to submit one nominee per year to receive the Outstanding Service Award. More than one award may be given in any particular year.

Nominations should include (1) nomination letter than includes your name, the nominee's name and the title of the award (2) nominee's CV (3) up to three additional letters of support uploaded together as one file or one letter co-signed.

Public Service Award

This award is designed for non-members whose outstanding public service has significantly contributed to the organization or the field. Honorary members or AAP employees are not eligible for this award.

Nominations should include (1) nomination letter than includes your name, the nominee's name and the title of the award (2) nominee's CV (3) up to three additional letters of support uploaded together as one file or one letter co-signed.

McLean Outstanding Resident/Fellow Award

This award will be given to a Resident/Fellow member who demonstrates outstanding academic performance in academic leadership, teaching and education, and research. Nominations for the McLean Outstanding Resident/Fellow Award must also include a letter of recommendation from the nominee's Program Director. Up to two awards may be given in any particular year.

Nominations should include (1) nomination letter than includes your name, the nominee's name and the title of the award (2) nominee's CV (3) up to three additional letters of support uploaded together as one file or one letter co-signed. A separate letter from the nominee's Program Director must also be included.

Innovation & Impact in Education Award

The Innovation & Impact in Education Award recognizes an AAP member for outstanding new developments and improvements in education that benefit academic PM&R and the physiatric community. The innovation may:

  • Address a need at the institutional, local or national level
  • Focus on any level of education from medical student through fellowship and early career
  • Target any education-related topic within PM&R, including teaching, research, leadership, management, patient care and more

Projects may focus on, but are not limited to, clinical education, education in administration or education in research methods. Projects must have been started after January 1, 2014. Nominated projects should improve an existing education issue or problem or provide a new solution. Results should be included along with information on how the innovation can be implemented by other institutions.

Nominations should include (1) nomination letter than includes your name, the nominee's name and the title of the award (2) nominee's CV (3) up to three additional letters of support uploaded together as one file or one letter co-signed. Information detailing results of the education project must be included with the nomination materials.

Outstanding AAP Mentor Award

The Outstanding Mentor award will recognize an AAP member who has an impactful effect on others through the quality and extent of their mentorship, as well as demonstrating support for the professional development of their mentee(s), and their time and dedication spent towards building a successful mentor-mentee relationship. This award is not meant to recognize research productivity, clinical activities, or personal longevity in the field.

Nominees must be a current member of AAP in good standing and are encouraged to serve as a mentor through the AAP Mentor Program. They may have additional mentees through institutional and other programs that are included in the nomination materials. To be eligible, nominations for the Outstanding Mentorship Award must also include a supporting letter from a mentee on how this person has impacted their development, career and lives.

Nominations should include (1) nomination letter than includes your name, the nominee's name and the title of the award (2) nominee's CV (3) up to three additional letters of support uploaded together as one file or one letter co-signed. A separate letter from a mentee must be included with the nomination materials.

Outstanding Student Interest Group

The AAP wants to uplift and celebrate the innovative activities of PM&R Medical Student Interest Groups (SIG) around the country! The winner will receive $250 to be used towards SIG activities. We will showcase the outstanding PM&R SIG whose activities best exemplify our mission to create the future of academic physiatry by:

  • Supporting and promoting member advancement and professional opportunities;
  • Creating national connections and opportunities;
  • Increasing awareness of and advocating for PM&R as a specialty; and
  • Recruiting medical students to the specialty.

Nominated SIGs must be registered with the AAP.

Nominations should include a written statement about the group and one letter of recommendation from a faculty mentor or school official are also required.

Carolyn Braddom Ritzler Research Award

This award is presented to an individual who has conducted research that has had profound impact on the science and/or practice of PM&R. The intent is to look at impact such as changes in clinical care, policy, or research direction. The awardee should preferably be a physiatrist and an Association member. The same individual can win the award only once in a ten-year period. The individual will be presented with a plaque and a monetary award from income from the Braddom endowment. A poster, video, or handout of the research should be made available at the Annual Meeting. This award is presented every other year. Stay tuned and we look forward to your entries for the Carolyn Braddom Ritzler Research Award for Physiatry '25!

Nominations should include (1) nomination letter than includes your name, the nominee's name and the title of the award (2) nominee's CV (3) up to three additional letters of support uploaded together as one file or one letter co-signed.