ACR Awards of Distinction and Masters

Each year the ACR recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through an awards program. Awards are presented at the ACR Annual Scientific Meeting. For more information, contact the ACR at .

Unless otherwise indicated, in order to be eligible for any of the following awards, the candidate may not be an officer of the ACR, a member of the nominating committee, or a member of the Board of Directors during the year the award is given. Click a link below to learn more about each award, or download and print our brochure.

The nominations deadline for the Awards of Distinction and Masters was May 15, 2009. This deadline has now passed.

Presidential Gold Medal

The highest award that the ACR can bestow, 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. 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 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 the Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award, the REF will honor an active ACR or ARHP member for their contributions to the rheumatology profession through outstanding and ongoing mentoring.

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

Recognition as a Master of the American College of Rheumatology is one of the highest honors the College bestows. The designation of Master is conferred on ACR members, age 65 or older, 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.

Distinguished Fellows Award

The intent of the Distinguished Fellow Awards Program, formerly Rheumatology Fellow Award, is to recognize clinical and research fellows who are in a rheumatology fellowship training program and who have performed meritoriously.

Deadline is May 28, 2009.

Medical Student Achievement Awards

The ARHP sponsors several Merit Awards for health professionals. Learn More.