2024 AAPA Annual Awards
The annual AAPA Awards include Individual Excellence Awards, for which individuals can apply, along with the Eugene A. Stead Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award, for which one must be nominated.
Individual Excellence Awards
Across the country, PAs go beyond – expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. That’s why the annual AAPA Awards recognize PAs’ and PA students’ contributions to their patients, their communities, and their profession.
PA of the Year Award
This award honors a PA who, within the course of a one-year period, demonstrates exemplary service to the community; exemplifies the PA profession’s philosophy of providing accessible, quality healthcare to all; and furthers the image of the profession in a positive, meaningful way.
PA Student of the Year Award
This award honors a PA student who furthers the image of PAs and PA students; gives self-sacrificing time and effort in service to community; demonstrates leadership and professionalism; and exemplifies the PA profession’s philosophy of providing accessible and quality healthcare and/or health education.
Diversity Award
This award recognizes a PA or PA group that serves as a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the PA profession and/or the patient population or community that they serve.
Military Service Award
This award recognizes a veteran or active duty PA who demonstrates exemplary healthcare service and exemplifies the PA profession’s philosophy of providing accessible, quality healthcare to current members of the military, veterans, or a medically underserved community.
AAPA/PAEA Preceptor of the Year Award
This award honors a preceptor who demonstrates exemplary service in the clinical education of PA students as a mentor, role model, and instructor; and furthers the image of PAs by exemplifying the PA profession’s philosophy of providing accessible, quality healthcare.
Publishing Award
This award is granted to a PA who published, during the prior calendar year, a new clinical or research article expressing original and/or scientifically rigorous ideas substantiated by best practices, and contributing to the advancement of the PA profession.
Outstanding Student Society
This award recognizes one student society for outstanding service to the profession in the areas of public education and advocacy; public service and outreach; promotion of diversity; and professional involvement.
Eugene A. Stead Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award
This award honors a lifetime of achievement that has had a broad and significant impact on the PA profession. Recipients are not required to be PAs. However, PA nominees must be current AAPA members in good standing. Retired PA nominees must have been an AAPA member in good standing prior to retirement.
- 2023 – Josanne K. Pagel, M.Div., MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, EBS
- 2020 – Paul Lombardo, MPS-HAS, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA
- 2019 – Ted J. Ruback, MS, PA-C Emeritus
- 2017 – Epifanio Elizondo, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA
- 2015 – Randy D. Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA
- 2013 – Ron L. Nelson, PA-C, DFAAPA
- 2012 – Ruth Ballweg, MPA, PA-C, DFAAPA
- 2011 – James Francis Cawley, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA
- 2009 – Harvey Estes, MD
Frequently Asked Questions
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The eligibility criteria are different for each award. Please see the detailed eligibility guidelines above for more specific criteria.
No. Anyone nominated for the PA of the Year Award, PA Student of the Year Award, Military Service Award, Preceptor of the Year Award, Diversity Award, or Publishing Award will need to complete a full application themselves in order to be considered. When a nomination is submitted, the nominee will be notified and given instructions on how to apply.
The Eugene A. Stead Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award is the exception. That is an award for which one must be nominated, and the nominee should not fill out an application.
No. Each applicant may only submit the number of documents and letters permitted by the application form. Only documents submitted via the application form will be accepted.
Each application form has a “save and return” feature so that you can continue working on the application at your convenience. If you choose to use this feature, you will be asked to create an account in order to return to your application. However, when the form is submitted, all application materials must be included or the application will be considered incomplete.
Please address letters of recommendation to AAPA Awards Committee Members.
The Awards Committee is comprised of volunteer AAPA members who must apply to serve on the committee. The AAPA staff advisor does not participate in the evaluation of award applicants. The list of 2024 committee members is available here.
Applicants will be notified in March 2024. Public announcement of the award recipients is planned for May 2024.
Past Recipients
Read about the accomplishments of Individual Excellence Award recipients from the current and previous years’ AAPA annual awards.