The deadline for nominations for ACR Awards of Distinction and for a Masters designation is May 15, 2008, and award recipients are chosen by the Committee on Nominations and Appointments in late summer. Awards are presented at the ACR Annual Scientific Meeting’s Opening Lecture and include:
Presidential Gold Medal: The highest award that the ACR can bestow, this recognizes outstanding achievements in rheumatology over an entire career. Candidates should have made important contributions in multiple areas, such as clinical medicine, research, education, or administration. 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 (REF). Active or 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.
Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award: Through this award, the REF will honor 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 profession 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: This is one of the highest honors the ACR bestows. 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 recognition is usually given to no more than 15 members per year.