Each year the organization recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through an awards program. Awards are presented at the ACR/ARHP Annual Scientific Meeting, and eligibility criteria vary. Click on the award below to view the eligibility requirements and make your award of distinction and masters nomination today.
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+ ACR REF Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award
- ACR REF Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award
The ACR REF Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award recognizes the importance of the mentor/mentee relationship. A dedicated mentor can significantly influence the successful development and career of a mentee. Through the Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award, the REF honors an active ACR or ARHP member for their contributions to the rheumatology profession through outstanding and ongoing mentoring.
Eligibility |
ACR or ARHP members in good standing may nominate an individual who has mentored them. Nominees must be current ACR or ARHP members in good standing with demonstrated commitment to mentoring throughout their career. A mentor possessing a combination of research and clinical focus would be preferred, but such a combination is not required. Self-nomination is not permitted. REF committee members involved in award recipient selection are not eligible to nominate candidates or be nominated by someone else. |
Award Terms and Funding |
The Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award is a one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
The 2011 recipient of the ACR REF Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award was Betty Diamond, MD. For a complete list of past recipients, click here
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+ Presidential Gold Medal
- Presidential Gold Medal
The highest award that the ACR can bestow, the Presidential Gold Medal is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievements in rheumatology over an entire career. Candidates will have made important contributions in multiple areas such as clinical medicine, research, education or administration. This award is supported by an endowed fund created by the past presidents of the ACR and managed by the ACR Research and Education Foundation.
Eligibility |
ACR members including Emeritus members in good standing are eligible. |
Award Terms and Funding |
The Presidential Gold Medal is a one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $5,000 cash award. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
The 2011 recipient of the Presidential Gold Medal was William J. Koopman, MD. For a complete list of past recipients, click here
+ Distinguished Service Award
- Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is awarded to an ACR member for outstanding and sustained service to the ACR.
Eligibility |
Only ACR members are eligible. |
Award Terms and Funding |
The Distinguished Servicee Award is a one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
The 2011 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award was Gregory J. Dennis, MD. For a complete list of past recipients, click here.
+ Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award
- Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award
The Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award is awarded to a rheumatologist who has made outstanding contributions in clinical medicine, clinical scholarship, or education.
Eligibility |
ACR members in good standing are eligible. |
Award Terms and Funding |
The Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award is a one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
The 2011 recipient of the Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award was Stephen A. Paget, MD. For a complete list of past recipients, click here.
+ Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award
- Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award
The Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award is to a clinical scientist making outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology. This award was known as the Clinical Research Award prior to 2006.
Eligibility |
ACR members in good standing are eligible. |
Award Terms and Funding |
The Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award is a one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
The 2011 recipient of the Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award was Edward H. Giannini, MSc, DrPH. For a complete list of past recipients, click here.
+ Distinguished Basic Investigator Award
- Distinguished Basic Investigator Award
The Distinguished Basic Investigator Award is awarded to a basic scientist making outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology.
Eligibility |
ACR members in good standing are eligible. |
Award Terms and Funding |
The Distinguished Basic Investigator Award is a one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
The 2011 recipient of the Distinguished Basic Investigator Award was Steven B. Abramson, MD. For a complete list of past recipients, click here.
+ Paulding Phelps Award
- Paulding Phelps Award
The Paulding Phelps Award is awarded to a clinical rheumatologist for outstanding service to patients, community and the practice of medicine.
Eligibility |
ACR members in good standing are eligible. |
Award Terms and Funding |
The Paulding Phelps Award is a one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
The 2011 recipient of the Paulding Phelps Award was Gary L. Bryant, MD. For a complete list of past recipients, click here.
+ Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award
- Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award
The Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award is awarded to a young physician scientist, age 45 or younger, who has made outstanding and promising independent contributions to basic or clinical research in the field of rheumatology.
Eligibility |
ACR members in good standing under the age of 45 are eligible. |
Award Terms and Funding |
The Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Award is a one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
The 2011 recipients of the Henry Kunkel Young Investigator Awards were Karen H. Costenbader, MD, MPH and Theresa T. Lu, MD, PhD. For a complete list of past recipients, click here.
+ Distinguished Fellowship Program Director Award
- Distinguished Fellowship Program Director Award
The Distinguished Fellowship Program Director Award is awarded to a current or former rheumatology program director that has made outstanding contributions in the mentoring and training of future rheumatologists.
Eligibility |
ACR members in good standing who are current or former rheumatology program directors for a period of a minimum of 5 years and who participate in related ACR educational activities. To be considered for this award, one of the recommendation letters must be from a current or previous fellow from the nominees program. Consideration will be given for innovative educational programs and recruitment of health care professionals to the subspecialty of rheumatology. |
Award Terms and Funding |
The Distinguished Fellowship Program Director Award is a one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
+ ACR Master Designation
- ACR Master Designation
Recognition as a Master of the American College of Rheumatology is one of the highest honors the College bestows. The designation of Master is conferred on ACR members, age 65 or older by October 1 of the year in which they are nominated, who have made outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through scholarly achievement and/or service to their patients, students, and profession. This honor is usually bestowed upon no more than 15 members per year.
Eligibility |
ACR members in good standing, over the age of 65, are eligible. |
Award Terms and Funding |
A Master is not required to pay annual fees, dues, or assessments and has the privilege of attending the ACR annual meeting without payment of registration fees. |
Governing Committee |
ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments |
Deadline |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Nominations are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Apply |
The nominations process ended on May 15, 2011. Applications are no longer being accepted. Please check back again next year. If you have questions, please contact . |
Decision Notification |
Decisions are announced during the summer, after the ACR Committee on Nominations and Appointments meets. |
The 2011 ACR Masters were William J. Arnold, MD, Neal S. Birnbaum, MD, Paul Dieppe, MBBS, MD, Robert A. Eisenberg, MD, Merrill Eric Gershwin, MD, Dafna Gladman, MD, Michael Hershfield, MD, Robert P. Kimberly, MD, Robert G. Lahita, MD, PhD, David S. Pisetsky, MD, PhD, Richard M. Pope, MD, Adil Samara, MD, PhD, Michael H. Schiff, MD, Thomas J. Schnitzer, MD, PhD, Benjamin D. Schwartz, MD, PhD, Charles H. Spencer, MD, Fredrick M. Wigley, MD, and Hasan Yazici, MD..
For a complete list of past recipients,click here.
