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Procedure for Proposing New Awards

The Association expanded its Awards Program in 2021, which led to the establishment of a comprehensive framework that incorporated current awards and recognition under one umbrella. The framework outlines a consistent process for the nomination and selection process, acknowledgment of award recipients, and a mechanism for recommending additional awards.

Awards are designed to recognize individuals, groups, or organizations. Additionally, in certain circumstances, when there is a desire to recognize an individual’s outstanding contributions, service, or exemplary leadership, an award may be established and named in their honor subject to approval by the Awards Advisory Group and AHLA staff.  

For a complete list of AHLA Awards, go to https://www.americanhealthlaw.org/Awards-and-Recognition  

Process for Proposing the Creation of a New AHLA Award  

A submission must include the following elements:  

  • Award Category, e.g., Individual or Organization
  • Award Title
  • Rationale for establishing the Award1
  • How the Award aligns with the Association’s mission
  • Eligibility criteria
  • Judging panel
  • Suggestions on timing and presentation of the Award  

Approval Process

AHLA accepts submissions for new awards throughout the year. On a quarterly basis, the Awards Advisory Group and AHLA staff will review and will decide if the new award is approved and established, whether revisions are needed, or if the request is denied.  

If approved, the new award will be set up in the Association’s award platform. The launch date; call for and creation of a judging panel; timing of nomination and judging periods; recipient selection; and manner of recognition is determined by staff in collaboration with the Awards Advisory Group. Staff will draw on the proposed criteria in the submission to develop a scoring rubric to be used by the judging panel to evaluate the nominations received for the award.

Individual Awards

An award given to an individual in recognition of their achievement, service, or contributions to the health law community, advancement of the health law profession, expertise, or impact in a specific area of focus, or sustained service to the Association.  

Organization Awards  

An award given to a business, society, or association (organization) whose mission supports the health law bar, health law professionals, or health care industry. Awards in this category recognize the organization for its achievements, contributions, and impact.  

Named Awards2

A Named Award is established and given in honor or recognition of, or tribute to, an individual or group, e.g., distinguished lifetime career of service, a member’s exemplary leadership to the national health law bar, an organization’s impact to and support of the health law community, etc. A Named Award requires additional justification for approval.  

Endowed Grants/Scholarships3

An Endowed Grant or Scholarship is a form of award that provides funds or access to an educational program, and for which the selection criteria may include factors such as financial need, work setting, career progression, or gender. It is supported with a funding source, e.g., a designated fund balance whose earnings are used to fund the ongoing expenses of the award (e.g., honorarium and administrative costs).    

Submission for Recommending a New Award  

  • Is the Award recipient an individual or a group?
  • What is the proposed name of the award?
  • What is your rationale for establishing the Award?
    • If the Award has the potential to overlap with an existing Award, please address why the new award is needed and how it differs from or supplements an existing Award.
  • Describe how the Award aligns with AHLA’s mission.
  • What are the Award criteria?
    • Are self-nominations allowed?
    • Would letters of nomination or endorsement add value to the nomination process?
  • Award judging panels are composed of four to six members. Are there qualities or qualifications that would be needed by those serving on the judging panel?
  • Suggestions about when and where the Award is presented, e.g., at a program during lunch, virtually during Health Law Week, etc.?
  • Suggestions about who should present the Award?  

Submission for Recommending a New Named Award  

  • Is the Award recipient an individual or a group?
  • What is the proposed name of the award?
  • What is your rationale for establishing the Award?
    • How is the value of the Award enhanced by it being Named?
    • If the Award has the potential to overlap with an existing Award, please address why the new award is needed and how it differs from or supplements an existing Award.
  • Describe how the Award aligns with AHLA’s mission.
  • What are the Award criteria?
    • Are self-nominations allowed?
    • Would letters of nomination or endorsement add value to the nomination process?
  • Award judging panels are composed of four to six members. Are there qualities or qualifications that would be needed by those serving on the judging panel?
  • Suggestions about when and where the Award is presented, e.g., at a program during lunch, virtually during Health Law Week, etc.?
  • Suggestions about who should present the Award?
  • Attach a statement of permission for the use of the named individual (if living, or estate is not living) or group.    

Upon completion, please submit to [email protected].

1 The submission for a Named Award must include a statement describing the rationale, purpose, and value of the award; why the individual or organization named is deserving, and how the award complements AHLA’s existing awards portfolio. A statement of permission for the use of the name from the person named (if living) or the person’s estate must be included. Letters of support for the Named Award are welcomed and encouraged.

2 A proposal for an endowed grant or scholarship must include a plan to become fully endowed within five years of establishment. To be fully endowed, the fund balance should be at least 15 times the annual ongoing expenses required. There should be no expectation that individual donors will become members of the Awards Advisory Group. Donors would be advised that their contributions are applied on a “best efforts” basis. If the grant or scholarship becomes under-endowed, the Awards Advisory Group may remove the “endowed” designation from the award and/or discontinue the award.

3 If there is a potential to overlap with another AHLA award, the submission must address why a new award is needed and how it differs from or supplements an existing award.