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- Has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate leadership in the field of cardiovascular disease in women
- Has had and continues to have significant accomplishments in research, teaching, practice and/or service related to cardiovascular disease in women
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) Distinguished Awards
The ACC offers Distinguished Awards to recognize outstanding individuals making contributions to the cardiovascular profession. Awardees are recognized for their accomplishments at the Annual Convocation Ceremony; learn more about the previous winners and how they made an impact in cardiology.
Learn more about the 2024 Awards Winners!
ACC Awards Criteria
Nominators are required to provide letters of support outlining the candidate's qualifications, especially highlighting the bulleted criteria for the each of the awards below:
Bernadine Healy Leadership in Women's CV Disease Award (FACC)
Bernadine Healy Leadership in Women's CV Disease Award (FACC)
Distinguished Cardiovascular Team Member Award (*Non-physician ACC member, e.g., Cardiovascular Team OR Associate of the ACC OR non-physician FACC)
Distinguished Cardiovascular Team Member Award (*Non-physician ACC member, e.g., Cardiovascular Team OR Associate of the ACC OR non-physician FACC)
- Has made and continues to make outstanding contributions to College initiatives and the field of cardiovascular medicine
- Encourages and nurtures the ACC's team approach to team based cardiovascular care
Distinguished Fellow Award (FACC; former College presidents are not eligible)
Distinguished Fellow Award (FACC; former College presidents are not eligible)
- Demonstrates exemplary service to the College
- Serves as a role model for others through their ACC service activities
Distinguished Mentor Award (FACC)
Distinguished Mentor Award (FACC)
- Throughout a lengthy career, demonstrates a dedication to mentoring physicians and/or other members of the cardiac care team
- Mentors across a spectrum of professional activities
- Palpably shapes the careers of current and future leaders in cardiovascular medicine
Distinguished Scientist Award (3 Awards, 1 in each domain; FACC)
Distinguished Scientist Award (3 Awards, 1 in each domain; FACC)
- Basic Science
- Has made and continues to make major and unique contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of Basic Science
- Has achieved specific research accomplishments
- Has contributed innovations, patents, and scientific impact on the field of cardiovascular disease
- Clinical Science
- Has made and continues to make major and unique contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of Clinical Science
- Has achieved specific research accomplishments
- Has contributed innovations and makes a scientific impact on cardiovascular clinical practice and patient outcomes
- Translational Science
- Has made and continues to make major and unique contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the field of Translational Science
- Has achieved specific research accomplishments
- Has contributed innovations and makes a scientific impact of translating basic science to the cardiovascular clinic and bedside practice
Distinguished Service Award (*Physicians, scientists, or laypersons are eligible; former College presidents are not eligible)
Distinguished Service Award (*Physicians, scientists, or laypersons are eligible; former College presidents are not eligible)
- Has, and continues to demonstrate excellence and commitment via individual effort
- Exhibits evidence of profound contributions to cardiovascular medicine and/or the delivery of health care
Distinguished Teacher Award (FACC)
Distinguished Teacher Award (FACC)
- Has made and continues to make major contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine at the national and/or international level
- Offers innovative and outstanding teaching
- Embodies compassion and excellence toward those influenced by their teaching (e.g., fellows, peers, the public)
Douglas P. Zipes Distinguished Young Scientist Award
Douglas P. Zipes Distinguished Young Scientist Award
- This award recognizes young physician scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the field of cardiovascular disease. Learn more.
- The nomination packet, including letters, curriculum vitae and other materials, must be received by Aug. 7, 2023.
Gifted Educator Award (FACC)
Gifted Educator Award (FACC)
- Has made and continues to make major contributions to the field of cardiovascular medicine at the local and/or regional level
- Offers innovative and outstanding teaching
- Embodies compassion and excellence toward those influenced by their teaching (e.g., fellows, peers, the public)
Honorary Fellowship Award (*not an ACC member and who would not otherwise have routinely had an opportunity to pursue Fellowship in the College)
Honorary Fellowship Award (*not an ACC member and who would not otherwise have routinely had an opportunity to pursue Fellowship in the College)
- Represents a distinguished physician or scientist whose professional performance warrants recognition by the College
- Has made and continues to make unique contributions to the field cardiovascular medicine or science
- Exhibits leadership and/or service to the College or within the field of cardiovascular medicine
- Leaves an impact on peers, learners, or patients
International Service Award (FACC)
International Service Award (FACC)
- This award recognizes service and is not tied to leadership in the international cardiovascular community.
- Has made and continues to make unique and outstanding service contributions to cardiovascular medicine and science that have significantly enhanced cardiovascular care throughout the world
- Has left a significant impact on peers, learners, patients, and community due to their service
Lifetime Achievement Award (*former College presidents are not eligible)
Lifetime Achievement Award (*former College presidents are not eligible)
- Demonstrates a lifetime of outstanding achievements in the field of cardiovascular medicine
- Embodies lifelong excellence and acted as a role model in service, basic or clinical research, and teaching
- Has made and continues to make unique contributions and accomplishments
- Leaves an impact on peers, learners and/or patients
Pamela S. Douglas Distinguished Award for Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion (ACC member)
Pamela S. Douglas Distinguished Award for Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion (ACC member)
- During a lengthy career has been recognized as a champion of an inclusive workforce
- Has, and continues to serve as a leader in creating an inclusive environment
- Represents a national voice on the importance of engaging diverse perspectives and backgrounds in the cardiovascular field
Master of the American College of Cardiology (MACC)
Master of the American College of Cardiology (MACC)
- Nominees for the Master designation will have been Fellows of the College in good standing for more than fifteen years.
- Dedicated service to the College over time is the primary and necessary distinguishing characteristic of nominees for the Master designation.
- The nominees will have served with distinction and provided leadership on College programs and committees and may have served as trustees or governors.
- Excellence in education, clinical practice and scholarship will be important supporting characteristics.
- Learn more about submitting your nomination.
Awards Committee Process
The Awards Committee receives nominations and reports its approved recommendations for award recipients to the Board of Trustees in the fall.
Members of the Awards Committee for 2024-2025 are:
Sharonne N. Hayes, MD, FACC, Chair
Richard A. Chazal, MD, MACC, Chair-Elect
Dave L. Dixon, PharmD, FACC
John Gordon Harold, MD, MACC
Aniruddha Singh, MD, FACC
Nishtha Sodhi, MD, FACC
Thad Waites, MD, MACC
Members of the Awards Committee may not nominate or provide support letters for candidates. For questions regarding the ACC Distinguished Awards Program, please contact Kristin Robertson at awards@acc.org.
How to Nominate
A nominating letter addressed to the Awards Committee, accompanied by a letter seconding the nomination and the nominee's curriculum vitae and any additional supplementary support letters, must be received by the Business Operations Department of the ACC by Sept. 30, 2024, in order to be considered by the Awards Committee at its meeting this fall. You cannot self-nominate.
The entire nomination packet, including letters and curriculum vitae, may be sent by e-mail (preferable) to awards@acc.org or by mail to:
Kristin Robertson
Attn: ACC Awards Committee
American College of Cardiology
2400 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
With the exception of the Distinguished Mentor award*, nominations must be accompanied by 2 required and up to 3 additional letters of support, as described below:
- 1 curriculum vitae (required)
- 1 nominating letter (required)
- 1 letter seconding the nomination (required)
- Up to 3 letters of support
- Letters should not exceed 750 words.
- All letters must come from ACC members.
- All letters must be on letterhead.
*For the Distinguished Mentor category, all nominations must be accompanied by 2 required and up to 5 additional letters of support as described below:
- 1 curriculum vitae (required)
- 1 nominating letter (required)
- 1 letter seconding the nomination (required)
- Up to 5 letters of support, ideally from mentees of the nominee
- Letters should not exceed 750 words.
- All letters must come from ACC members.
- All letters must be on letterhead.
Supporting letters should provide specific examples of the candidate's contributions, activities and/or attributes which qualify them for the award as outlined in the specific awards criteria.
