IDEA Champion Award Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements 

This award is open to health law professionals who actively:

• Create accessible environments where people from all backgrounds thrive. 
• Foster inclusion and belonging in AHLA, their own organization, and the greater health law community. 
• Build a welcoming health law community that supports connection and belonging, and values varied perspectives.  
• Demonstrate positive change through concrete actions. 

Eligible nominees must demonstrate tangible impact through their advocacy efforts, regardless of their specific role within the health law community. AHLA welcomes nominations representing a diverse cross-section of our membership, from various career stages, practice settings, and demographic backgrounds. Current judging panel members, past award recipients, and sitting Board members are not eligible for consideration. 

+IDEA Champion Award Recipient

Nomination Criteria 

• Demonstrates measurable advocacy that fosters safe, respectful spaces where health law professionals from all backgrounds can participate fully, express their unique perspectives, and feel valued for their contributions.  
• Contributes to improved outcomes by establishing transparent processes, removing barriers, and creating equitable access for individuals of all abilities and experience levels within the health law community.  
• Actively fosters the participation and career advancement of individuals across multiple dimensions including professional background, geographic location, career stages, workplace settings, and personal characteristics.  
• Develops and champions innovative approaches, best practices, and systemic changes that embed IDEA principles in professional settings and can be adopted by other organizations.  
• Inspires and enables others to integrate IDEA values into their institutional frameworks through concrete strategies that create lasting positive change. 

Nomination Process 

This award requires nomination by an AHLA member; self-nominations are not accepted. Members are encouraged to identify and nominate colleagues who exemplify outstanding commitment to IDEA principles. Members currently serving on the AHLA Board of Directors are not eligible for consideration. 

Nominations are accepted year-round. The Review Period occurs in October each year. Nominations submitted during the Review Period will automatically be considered for the following year's award cycle.  

+IDEA Champion (nominations close September 30 for 2025 cycle) – Nominate Here

Selection Process 

A dedicated judging panel evaluates all submissions using a scoring rubric based on the established criteria. Panel members commit to thoroughly reviewing applications, participating in virtual consensus meetings, and maintaining objectivity by disclosing any potential conflicts of interest. This structured review process ensures consistent and fair assessment of each candidate's contributions to both AHLA and the health law profession. 

An individual appointed to serve on the judging panel is not eligible to be considered for the Award while they serve on the panel. To ensure focused attention, members may serve on only one judging panel at a time. The recipient is honored during the Association’s Health Law Week in January.