American Gastroenterological Association - Advancing the Science and Practice of Gastroenterology

This award was established in 1941 to recognize an individual who has contributed significantly to the AGA and has made lifelong contributions to the field of gastroenterology. This is the highest honor bestowed upon an AGA member.

Eligibility

Senior gastroenterologists who have spent most of their careers in gastroenterology, have made contributions to the field, and have provided significant service to the AGA are eligible. AGA membership is required.

Nomination Process

Any AGA member may submit a nomination. Nominations are solicited by the AGA Chair in July via a "Call for Nominations" letter to the following constituencies: the AGA Governing Board, council section chairs, committee chairs, task force chairs and membership-at-large. Announcements of the award are posted on the AGA website. 

Nomination packages should contain the following: a letter summarizing the nominee’s career and achievements in gastroenterology, a curriculum vitae and a bibliography. The secretary will review the nominations from the previous year. Nominees from the previous year will be considered if they received at least one first-place vote during the previous election. If they did not receive any first-place votes, they may be considered only if they are re-nominated in the present year. Award may be given posthumously, provided that the nomination was made during the lifetime of the recipient. Nominees who die after nomination will be eligible for consideration only in the initial year of nomination.

Selection Process*

Members of the AGA Governing Board will choose the recipient during the November Governing Board meeting. Confidential background information on nominees will be distributed to the voting members of the Governing Board no less than 5 days before the Governing Board meeting. Non-voting members will be asked to leave the room during the voting. Each voting member will mark a first- and second-choice candidate on his/her ballot. The secretary will tabulate votes, assigning two points for first-place votes and one point for second-place votes. In case of a tie, the Chair will call for a second vote, with each member selecting only one candidate.

Recognition

The recipient will receive a $5,000 honorarium and will be presented with an engraved medal during Digestive Diseases Week® **. The recipient and his/her spouse will be reimbursed for travel (coach) and hotel accommodations for up to two nights. Additionally, an article highlighting the recipient’s accomplishments will be published in the May issue of Gastroenterology.

Nomination Deadline and Submission Process

The deadline for receipt of nominations is Sept. 21. To submit a nomination, forward a one page letter of recommendation, in PDF file format. Please email the nomination letter to awards@gastro.org. Staff will solicit nominees for the curriculum vitae. Please note: The first letter received, per nominee, will be the letter that is included in the nomination packet. Hard copies will not be accepted. Please forward all questions about this and other AGA Recognition awards to (301) 222-4012 or via e-mail at wvailor@gastro.org.  

* Amended as directed by AGA Executive Committee November, 2006.
Approved by the AGA Governing Board, (14) VOTED, February 2007
**Approved by the AGA Governing Board (15) VOTED, July 2010

AGA Institute gratefully acknowledges AstraZeneca for making this award possible through a restricted grant.

Past Recipients (1941-2012)