Washington, D.C. – The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) recently recognized many higher education health professionals from across the country for their leadership, contributions and excellence in the fields of health sciences and health professions. The awards were presented at ASAHP’s annual conference. “Moving Forward – Emerging Practices and Lasting Changes in Higher Education and Health Professions,” which took place October 17-19, 2023 at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida.
“Each of this year’s award recipients was identified by their peers to have demonstrated excellence and collaboration in health professions education,” said new ASAHP President Dr. Craig R. Jackson, MSW, JD, FASAHP, Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions at Loma Linda University. “We are lucky to have committed leaders such as these within our institutions who are dedicated to improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare and health professions education for all.”
At a ceremony on the first day of the conference the following awards were presented:
Legacy of Excellence Award
Natalie “Nikki” Krawitz
Retired, University of Missouri
The Legacy of Excellence Award recognizes an individual whose career is exemplary in terms of contributions to ASASHP as a national or internationally recognized leader in the health professions who publicly promotes the contributions of the health professions to the health care workforce on a national and/or international level and is a strong advocate for health sciences and health professions.
President's Award
Celia Hooper, PhD, FASAHP
Dean Emerita
School of Health and Human Sciences
UNC Greensboro
This awardee is chosen by the ASAHP current President to express gratitude to an individual who has dedicated him/herself to helping maintain the qualities of excellence that characterize a truly professional Association.
Distinguished Service and Achievement Award
Ruth Welborn, PhD, FASAHP
Texas State University
This award recognizes an individual who has brought recognition and credit to health sciences and health professions through their involvement in either health policy, development, or education.
Outstanding Member Award
Christopher Ingersoll, PhD, FASAHP
Founding Dean
College of Health Professions and Sciences
University of Central Florida
This award recognizes members who have contributed significantly to ASAHP during the previous year and who, by example, have inspired others through their demonstrated leadership and active involvement in ASAHP affairs.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award
Valerie Herzog, EdD, LAT, ATC, FASAHP
Chair, Department of Athletic Training
Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions
Weber State University
This award recognizes an ASAHP Member with outstanding leadership in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in an academic setting.
ASAHP Fellows (left to right) - Matt Anderson, PhD; Fang-Ling Lu, PhD; ASAHP President Deb Larsen, PhD; Katherine Beissner, PhD; Thomas Masterson, PhD
Fellows Program Award
Matt Anderson, PhD, FASAHP
Associate Professor, Chair
Department of Healthcare Administration
Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
Loyola University Chicago
Katherine Beissner, PT, PhD, FASAHP
Dean, College of Health Professions
Upstate Medical University
Fang-Ling Lu, PhD, CCC-SLP, FASAHP
Associate Professor
Chair of Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
School of Health Professions
UT Health Science Center San Antonio
Thomas Masterson, PhD, FASAHP
Professor and Dean
The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions
Central Michigan University
This award provides meaningful recognition to those members who have contributed significantly to health professions as administrators, educators, clinicians, or researchers. Recipients must be an active ASAHP member for five years with demonstrated leadership, publication in professional journals and professional creativity.
Scholarship of Excellence - Elwood Scholar
Lacey Kehlenbeck
Mercy University
The Scholarship of Excellence recognizes outstanding individuals who excel in their academic programs and have significant potential to assume future leadership roles in the health professions. Starting in 2014, the title of Elwood Scholar is to be awarded to the most outstanding Scholarship of Excellence recipient.
J. Warren Perry Award
Michael Furtado, PT, DPT, EdD
Chair, Department of Physical Therapy
School of Health Professions
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
Each year, the winner of an award named after the Association’s second President and the founder of the Journal of Allied Health in 1972 is selected. Candidates for this honor are the authors of the 46 original research articles and commentary papers that appeared in issues of the Journal of Allied Health during the period Fall 2022 to Summer 2023. Based on an average of their respective scores, the paper ranked highest was Dr. Michael Furtado’s “Assessment of Academic Resilience as a Non-Cognitive Variable in Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy Students” that appeared in the Fall 2022 issue.
Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Health Care
LSU Health, New Orleans: Daniel Held; Michael Norman, PhD; Erin Dugan, PhD; and ASAHP President Deb Larsen, PhD, FASAHP
Award Recipient:
LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans
Programs of Merit:
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
University of Alabama, Birmingham - School of Health Professions
Through the Award for Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Health Care, ASAHP looks to recognize a member institution for outstanding achievement in interprofessional education and interprofessional collaborative practice.
Innovation and Excellence in Clinical Education Award Recipient
Cleveland Clinic
Through the Award for Innovation and Excellence in Clinical Education, the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) looks to recognize an institutional member along with its clinical partner for innovation and excellence in clinical education.
About ASAHP
The Association of School Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) is a national professional organization of 130 universities and employers focused on critical issues affecting health professions education. ASAHP’s mission is to advance health professions education and discovery through interprofessional collaboration, leadership, excellence, and innovation.