The International Health (IH) Section recognizes each year outstanding individuals who have contributed in an important way to the field of international health and/or to the IH Section. Guidance is provided here on the process and criteria for selecting the individuals to receive the five major awards:
- Carl Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award,
- Gordon-Wyon Award for Community-Oriented Public Health, Epidemiology, and Practice,
- Mid-Career Award in International Health,
- Distinguished Section Service Award,
- Early Career Professional Award.
A. Process for award nominations and selection
The Awards Committee of the IH Section is entrusted with the awards process, with collaboration and input from IH Section leadership when needed.
The annual request for nominations for IH Section awards is prepared by the IH Section Awards Committee. This request is sent out to all IH Section members on multiple virtual platforms managed by the IH Section Communications Committee.
The nomination process is quick and easy. We ask for only a page or so that describes how the nominee meets the award criteria along with a copy of the nominee’s curriculum vitae. Only one individual can be nominated for any award in a calendar year. If you have an idea of persons who might merit an award and desire some feedback, or if you need to verify whether they are APHA or IH Section members, please contact ih.awards.chair@gmail.com.
A nomination can be made by submitting to ih.awards.chair@gmail.com two items: (1) a letter of nomination of about one page that specifies the name of the nominee, the title of the award, and how the nominee meets the specific criteria for the award (listed below); and (2) the nominee’s current curriculum vitae.
Please submit files in PDF with filenames showing: (1) which award, (2) first initial and last name of nominee, and (3) which item {letter or curriculum vitae}. Example nomination of Mary Smith for the Carl Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award: carltaylor-msmith-letter.pdf and carltaylor-msmith-cv.pdf
Nominations are reviewed by the IH Section Awards Committee and a short list of candidates for each award is developed. The committee then votes on short-listed candidates. The nominee who gets the highest number of votes in the award category is selected to receive the award.
Awardees are honored at the following Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Also shown below are the names of past awardees as compiled by IH Historian Ray Martin. Send any comments, corrections, or additions to him at martinrs@aol.com.
B. Awards Criteria
Carl Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award in International Health
The Carl Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award in International Health honors the visionaries and leaders who have shaped or continue to shape the direction of International Health. Carl E. Taylor was the founder of the APHA International Health Section and a pioneer in and global champion of international health in the 20th century. The evaluation criteria for the Lifetime Achievement Award include: (1) Quality, creativity, and innovativeness of the individual’s contributions to the field of international health; (2) Application of the individual’s work to international health practice (as opposed to primarily theoretical value); (3) The individual’s contributions as a leader, visionary, and role model in international health; and (4) Current membership in APHA, and preferably membership in the IH Section.
Past Award Winners:
- 2024 – Leonard Rubenstein
- 2023 – Sarah Shannon
- 2022 – Gilbert Burnham
- 2021 – Mary Bassett
- 2020 – Gopal Sankaran
- 2019 – Russell Morgan
- 2018 – Judy Lewis
- 2017 – Abdullah Baqui
- 2016 – Peter Berman
- 2015 – Henry Perry
- 2014 – Douglas Huber
- 2013 – Miriam Labbok
- 2012 – Ray Martin
- 2011 – Henry Mosley
- 2010 – Dory Storms
- 2009 – Tom Hall
- 2008 – Samir Banoob and Diane Hedgecock*
- 2007 – William Reinke and Albert Henn*
- 2006 – Richard Morrow
- 2005 – Michael Latham
- 2004 – William Foege
- 2003 – Clarence Pearson
- 2002 – Stanley Foster
- 2001 – Joe Wray
- 2000 – Jack Bryant
- 1999 – Warren and Gretchen Berggren
- 1998 – Veronica Elliott*
- 1997 – Milton Roemer and Moye Freymann*
- 1996 – Julius (Bud) Prince and Jeanne Sumner Newman*
- 1995 – John Wyon
- 1994 – Timothy Baker
- 1993 – Cicely Williams*
- 1992 – Derrick Jeliffe*
- 1991 – Carl Taylor
* awarded posthumously
Gordon-Wyon Award for Community-Oriented Public Health, Epidemiology, and Practice
The Gordon-Wyon Award for Community-Oriented Public Health, Epidemiology, and Practice recognizes outstanding achievement in international community-oriented public health, epidemiology, and/or practice. This award was established in 2006 by the IH Section. John Gordon and John Wyon were pioneer epidemiologists and mentors in this field, so encouraging and recognizing others in this field is one important way of remembering and honoring them. The evaluation criteria include: (1) Outstanding achievement in international community-oriented public health, epidemiology, and/or practice; (2) Demonstrated creativity in expanding the concepts pertinent to the practice of international community-oriented public health; and (3) Current membership in the APHA IH Section.
Past Award Winners:
- 2024 – Carlos Castillo-Salgado
- 2023 – Judy Lewis
- 2022 – Filimona Bisrat
- 2021 – Riyadh Lafta
- 2020 – Paul Freeman
- 2019 – Mary Anne Mercer
- 2018 – Constance Gates
- 2017 – Laura C. Altobelli
- 2016 – Mizan Siddiqi
- 2015 – William “Bill” Brieger
- 2014 – Sandy Hoar
- 2013 – Malcolm Bryant
- 2012 – Tom Davis, Jr.
- 2010 – Rajanikant Arole and Carl Taylor*
- 2009 – Henry Perry.
- 2008 – Bette Gebrian
- 2007 – Jaime Gofin
- 2006 (inaugural award)- Warren and Gretchen Berggren
Mid-Career Award in International Health
The Mid-Career Award in International Health recognizes an outstanding mid-career professional in the IH Section. Evaluation criteria include: (1) Demonstrated achievement and commitment to international health promotion and development over a suggested period of seven to 20 years; (2) Demonstrated creativity in expanding the concepts pertinent to the practice of public health with an international focus; and (3) Current membership in the APHA IH Section.
Past Award Winners:
- 2024 – Stephen Kodish
- 2023 – Mona Bormet
- 2022 – Will Story
- 2021 – Benjamin Mason Meier
- 2020 – William Rosa
- 2019 – Jirair Ratevosian
- 2018 – Mark Strand
- 2017 – Dabney P. Evans
- 2016 — Laura Chanchien Parajon
- 2015 – Margaret Jo (Meg) Henning
- 2014 — Elvira Beracochea
- 2013 – Laura Altobelli
- 2012 – None
- 2010 – Matt Anderson
- 2009 – Padmini Murthy
- 2008 – Gopal Sankaran
- 2007 – Jean Capps
- 2006 – Theresa Shaver and Clyde (Lanny) Smith
- 2005 – Tim Holtz
- 2004 – Kate Macintyre
- 2003 – Sarah Shannon
- 2002 – None
- 2001 – Adnan Hyder
- 2000 – None
- 1999 – Stephen Gloyd
- 1998 – Luis Tam
- 1997 – Marty Makinen
- 1996 – Colleen Conroy
- 1995 – Mary Anne Mercer
- 1994 – Irwin Shorr
- 1993 – Walter K. Patrick
- 1990 – Dory Storms
Distinguished Section Service Award
The Distinguished Section Service Award honors outstanding service to the IH Section. The evaluation criteria include: (1) Dedication to the IH Section mission and goals as demonstrated by exceptional contribution to its activities; (2) Serving in IH Section elected positions or chairing its committees with outstanding or unusual effort and achievements; (3) Excellence in team work with peers in the IH Section and the APHA; and (4) Current membership in the APHA IH Section.
Past Award Winners:
- 2024 – Sara Shannon and Elizabeth Healy
- 2023 – Brianne Riggin-Pathak
- 2021 – Sarah Shannon
- 2020 – Laura Arntson
- 2019 – Jean Armas
- 2018 – Gopal Sankaran and Kevin Sykes
- 2017 – Theresa Majeski
- 2016 – Padmini Murthy
- 2015 – Amy Hagopian
- 2014 – Leonard Rubenstein
- 2013 – Carol Dabbs and Jessica Keralis
- 2012 – Omar Khan and Mike Bailey
- 2008 – Rose Schneider and Ray Martin
- 2007 – Amy Hagopian and Mary Anne Mercer
- 2006 – Theo Lippeveld
- 2005 – Ray Martin and Allen Jones
- 2004 – None
- 2003 – None
- 2002 – Marty Makinen
- 2001 – Lani Marquez
- 2000 – Dory Storms
- 1999 – None
- 1997 – Samir Banoob and Susi Kessler
- 1996 – Henri Migala
- 1995 – Ahmed Moen
- 1994 – Olive Roen and H. Pennington Whiteside
- 1986 – Raymond B. Isely
- 1985 – Diane Hedgecock
- 1984 – Kathleen A. Parker
Early Career Professional Award
This award recognizes the important contribution of young professionals for their leadership, innovation, and demonstrated contribution to international health. The evaluation criteria include: (1) Demonstrated contribution to the field of international health through leadership, innovation, and impactful practice in international health; (2) Must have graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program within the past 5 years; and (3) Current membership in the APHA IH Section.
Past Award Winners:
- 2024 – Thinh Vu
- 2022 – Hallie Pritchett
- 2021 – Chiwoneso Beverley Tinago
- 2020 – Jessica Keralis
- 2019 – None
- 2018 – Victoria Reville
Student Award (predates Young Professional Award)
Past Award Winners:
- 2013 – Arti Desai
- 2008 – Aroonsiri Sangarlangkam and David Luo
- 2006 – Bethany Hedt for contributions to public health epidemiological practice by refining the LQAS method in biostatistics for application in large countries, and
- 2006 – Robert Clark for developing a skill-based approach to teaching resuscitation to reduce neonatal deaths
C. Award of Special Recognition
At the discretion of the IH Section Awards Committee, an individual or organization can be honored by the IH Section for an extraordinary contribution to international public health.
Past Award Winners:
2008 – Allen Jones* honoring his contribution to international health
2007 – Riyadh Lafta, Gilbert Burnham, Shannon Doocy, and Les Roberts in recognition of their special efforts in conflict epidemiological research
2002 – Dikembe Mutombo, New Jersey Nets, for his support for health in the Democratic Republic of Congo
2001 – Pan American Health Organization, in honor of its Centennial Anniversary
1998 – Matlab Diarrheal Disease Research Unit in Bangladesh
1996 – Office of International and Refugee Health, Department of Health and Human Services, United States Government
* awarded posthumously
D. Certificate of Recognition
The IH Section Chair can honor an IH Section member for their meritorious service rendered to the IH Section or significant contribution to international health.
Updated and approved by the IH Section Awards Committee, November 2021
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