INTRODUCTION

Providing public recognition of exceptional achievement and service within the National Medical Association is an important activity of the Association. Annually the National Medical Association confers four awards to honor luminaries and those medical societies that have demonstrated exemplary leadership. In addition we recognize individuals of national and international stature whose efforts significantly benefit health and medicine.

These awards are:

• The Practitioner of the Year Award
• The Distinguished Service Award
• The Meritorious Achievement Award
• The Local Society of the Year Award
  • Large Local Society Award (at least 100 members)
  • Small Local Society Award (less than 100 members)

Nominations for each of these awards are accepted from:

• Any individual member
• State or Local Society
• Sections of the Scientific Assembly

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The Past Presidents Council facilitates the selection process and recommends awardees to the Board of Trustees based upon an evaluation of the merits of each nominee as described in the Constitution and By-Laws. Nominations for each of these awards must include a brief narrative description that addresses each criterion required for the specific award.

If there are no nominations that meet the criteria for an award, no award will be made for that year.

TIPS FOR NOMINATORS

Too often in the past, recommendations to the Association have not addressed the criteria required for the submission of the awards, therefore invalidating the submission from consideration. Two examples of the most often errors include:

• Submission is too long
• Submission does not include the narrative to justify the individuals or the societies nominated for those awards by addressing each criterion required for the award.

REQUIREMENTS

Submissions should be:

AWARD DETAILS

A. THE PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award signifies peer recognition for demonstrated services and characteristics that exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and sense of community. One award will be given.

Criteria

1. The individuals nominated must be a member in good standing of the National Medical Association for not less than three (3) of the four (4) most recent years.
2. Individuals nominated must have shown in his or her professional and personal life that he or she supports the objectives of the National Medical Association.
3. The nominee must be highly regarded in his or her community as a physician and as a person so certified by responsible citizens of the community. (At least three letters of recommendation from peers should be included with the letter of nomination.)
4. The nominee must have shown consistently the quality of compassion without which the practice of medicine can generate into a trade. (Suggestions could include examples of extraordinary generosity toward patients or donation of time in aspects of community service.)
5. The nominee must have become involved in problems of the community, and worked for the betterment thereof, apart from those efforts which relate solely to the practice of medicine.

B. THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award is given for exceptional work in medical service, medical research or academic medicine. One award will be given.

Criteria

1. 1. The individuals nominated must be a member in good standing of the National Medical Association for not less than three (3) of the four (4) most recent years.
   2. Nominees must have shown in his or her professional and personal life that he or she supports the objectives of the National Medical Association
   3. He/she must have done exceptional work in one (1) or more of the three (3) areas wherein the medical profession expresses its concern for mankind:
      • Service
      • Research
      • Teaching

      He/she must be acclaimed at the international or national level, or even at the local level, provided the acclaim extends into the state, beyond the boundaries of his/her community.

   4. The basis of selection may be but shall not be limited to, exceptional merit and rendering services to the National Medical Association.
   5. If a candidate fails to satisfy any of the criteria included under the headings listed above, his or her qualifications will be considered carefully by the Past Presidents Council, but it is suggested that submission include what special justification should be considered in considering an exception to the required criteria.

C. THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD

This award is given for noted national and international achievement and prominence. One award will be given.

Criteria

1. The awardee must have made significant contributions that are recognized at the national and international level.
2. The awardee must be recognized by the international medical community as a scholar in medical science.
3. The awardee need not be a member of the National Medical Association. This enables the Association to reach beyond its membership to honor qualified candidates.

D. THE LOCAL SOCIETY OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award may be given to local societies that have demonstrated exemplary
leadership in:

Criteria

1. Recruitment and growth in membership during the year of consideration
2. Evidence of Health Education Programs in the community during the respective
   year.
3. Evidence of Continuing Medical Education Programs for benefit of its members.

Two awards may be given:

1. Large Local Society Award (at least 100 members)
2. Small Local Society Award (less than 100 members)

Submissions

Nominations for society awards must be accompanied by a roster of the paid membership and provide information to address the three (3) criteria listed above.

All nominations must be received in the National Medical Association Office by
May 18, 2020 and must address each of the required criteria as listed above, and meet the limitation on length, or they will not be considered.

Please send nominations to:

National Medical Association
ATTN: LaSha Battley
8403 Colesville Road, Suite 820
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Or via E-Mail to: LBattley@NMAnet.org