ARHP Award Programs

The Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals recognizes our members’ outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through its award programs. Awards are presented at the ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting. Nominations can be made online or via fax with the print-and-send nomination form – and takes only three easy steps: Submit the nominee's name Select the award(s) for which you wish to nominate your peer Provide a letter of recommendation(s) for each award Nominations must be complete before April 11, 2008; you no longer need to contact the nominee and request support material! For more information, contact Sharon Ross, ARHP Nominations Staff Liaison at . Merit Awards Appreciation Awards Other Awards Addie Thomas Service Award Ann Kunkel Advocacy Award Distinguished Scholar Award Lifetime Achievement Award Master Clinician Award (formerly Clinical Masters Award) Past Award Winners President's Award Membership Recruitment Award Past Award Winners Graduate Student Award Awards through the ACR/REF Past Winners Eligibility: Candidates for all Merit Awards, except the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP), shall be members in good standing of ARHP or the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Candidates for the Lifetime Achievement Award shall have been members of ARHP, formerly known as Arthritis Health Professions Association (AHPA) or ACR for at least 10 consecutive years. If a member is currently serving on the Executive or Nominations committee of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, they are not eligible for any award. Nominations committee members shall not submit any nominations during their year of service. Selection Process: The ARHP Committee on Nominations shall select award recipients after reviewing all nominees and determining their eligibility. Awards are limited to no more than two recipients in each category per year and if no one is elected, the award will not be presented. The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor the ARHP bestows and not given yearly. An eligible nominee may be considered for an award for up to two years following the initial nomination. The ARHP office will contact the candidate and nominator to determine if the nomination will be carried forward. An updated curriculum vitae (CV) and letters of support are helpful but not required. Nominations for any award shall include: Nominations for any award shall include: A completed nomination form A maximum of two letters of recommendation describing contributions to the field of rheumatology and addressing the applicable award purpose/criteria. Nominations shall be judged on the quality of the supporting letter (s). Nominations staff liaison will contact the nominee to inform them that they have been nominated for an award(s), and that they will need to provide current curriculum vitae before Friday, April 11 in order to be considered. Nominations Deadline: Completed Nomination forms must be received by the second Friday in April for Awards to be presented at the annual scientific meeting. Nomination forms received after the deadline will be considered for the following year. Awards Granted Annually: Merit and Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented at the ARHP annual scientific meeting. All recipients will receive a financial honoraria established by the ARHP Executive Committee and an Award. Addie Thomas Service Award Award Description Eligibility How to Apply The ARHP Addie Thomas Award is presented in honor of our Association’s first president and recognizes individuals who have been an active volunteer involved with local, regional and national arthritis related activities. A candidate will be assessed on the following: Length of volunteer service in the field of rheumatology (e.g., professional organizations and/or community service). Volunteer service includes activities separate from one’s usual employment responsibilities. Impact of volunteer and leadership contributions to: Local/regional arthritis related activities including arthritis and rheumatology-related organizations (e.g. Arthritis Foundation and local chapter). National arthritis related activities (e.g., ARHP and other arthritis and rheumatology-related organizations). Past Presidents of ARHP/ACR may not receive the Addie Thomas Service Award for work related to their presidency.   A nomination formis required. Include a maximum of two letters of recommendation describing contributions to the field of rheumatology and addressing the applicable award purpose/criteria. All information must be submitted by the second Friday in April. NEW Ann Kunkel Advocacy Award Award Description Eligibility How to Apply This award is presented to a member with a history of advocating at local, regional and national levels. It is named in honor of ARHP member Ann Kunkel, a patient educator in pediatric rheumatology whose enthusiasm and persistence has inspired many members to join the effort to increase arthritis awareness.   A candidate will be assessed on the following evidence: Sustained advocacy work for patients and/or health professionals in rheumatology. Breadth of advocacy efforts. Impact of advocacy efforts. A nomination formis required. Include a maximum of two letters of recommendation describing contributions to the field of rheumatology and addressing the applicable award purpose/criteria. All information must be submitted by the second Friday in April.   Distinguished Scholar Award Award Description Eligibility How to Apply This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates exceptional achievements in scholarly activities pertinent to the rheumatic diseases. A candidate will be assessed on Scholarly activities in rheumatic diseases for the following areas: Publication of papers in refereed journals and their impact. Publication of books or monographs and their impact. Publication of book chapters, abstracts or non-refereed articles. Grants awarded. Professional and scientific presentations based upon the individual's expertise. Editor or editorial board member for a refereed journal, or other substantive contributions as a peer reviewer. Sustained Scholarly contributions to the ARHP/ACR annual scientific meeting. Development of a creative work (e.g., invention, media, or educational program). Mentoring of students and young investigators. A nomination formis required. Include a maximum of two letters of recommendation describing contributions to the field of rheumatology and addressing the applicable award purpose/criteria. All information must be submitted by the second Friday in April. Lifetime Achievement Award Award Description Eligibility How to Apply This award is the highest honor that the ARHP bestows and is presented to a current or former member of ARHP whose career has demonstrated a sustained and lasting contribution to the field of rheumatology and health professionals within rheumatology.   A candidate will be assessed on the following: Have at least 10 consecutive years of membership in either: American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Arthritis Health Professions Association (AHPA) Association of Rheumatology Health Professions (ARHP) Evidence that: A major portion of the candidate’s work has been devoted to arthritis-related issues. Unique and distinguished contributions to research, health care, education and service including but not limited to: A program of research that has led to new knowledge or unique insights concerning rheumatic disease. The development of a unique and validated approach to patient care, patient or professional education, or other issue relevant to the ARHP. Distinguished service to patients and patient-related issues. Distinguished leadership in the ARHP or related organizations. A nomination formis required. Include a maximum of two letters of recommendation describing contributions to the field of rheumatology and addressing the applicable award purpose/criteria. All information must be submitted by the second Friday in April. Master Clinician Award Award Description Eligibility How to Apply This award is presented to an individual who is engaged in clinical practice and demonstrates outstanding clinical expertise in the rheumatic diseases. (Formerly known as Clinical Master Award)   A candidate will be assessed on the following and must have a minimum of five years of clinical experience in the field of rheumatology: Clinical management of persons with rheumatic diseases and: Evidence of: Outstanding clinical knowledge, skills and professional competence. An active commitment to the field of rheumatology. Contributions to advancing the art and science of rheumatology. Dissemination of clinical knowledge and expertise through presentations, workshops, publications, participation in research, etc. Humanistic and technical skills as a clinician reported by professional colleagues, students and/or patients (summarized within the nominations or support letters). A nomination formis required. Include a maximum of two letters of recommendation describing contributions to the field of rheumatology and addressing the applicable award purpose/criteria. All information must be submitted by the second Friday in April.