The Excellence in Rehabilitation of Aging Persons Award acknowledges outstanding contributions in the field of rehabilitation of aging persons.

The individual who is nominated should demonstrate sustained contributions to the field of rehabilitation of aging persons. The nominee’s work may be in any or all of the areas of teaching, patient care, research, administration, government, and/or policy. Key contributions to the literature may include publications of original research, reviews, books, clinical practice guidelines, monographs, administrative directives, and/or public policy papers. Nominees should have made significant contributions to the field of aging and rehabilitation and may include achievements across a wide range of scholarship, including research, teaching, application, and integration. Examples for consideration may include: an epidemiologist studying disability or conditions related to functional decline; a psychologist working in the area of psychological rehabilitation; a basic scientist working on a disease or condition that benefits from rehabilitation (e.g., Parkinson’s disease); a health policy advocate or legal professional who develops and/or advocates for rehabilitation services;, engineers involved in rehabilitation; or a federal scientist or grant officer who is overseeing rehabilitation research. Rehabilitation practitioners may include but are not limited to physical, occupational or speech therapists, physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, and health administrators.

Submission Period: Spring 2025

Focus of Award:

  • This award acknowledges outstanding and sustained contributions in the field of rehabilitation of aging persons in any or all of the areas of teaching, patient care, research, administration, government, and/or policy.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Applicants do not have to be a member of GSA. This is a Health Sciences Section Award, but it is open to anyone in the rehabilitation community.
  • Demonstrate significant and sustained contributions to the field of rehabilitation of aging persons. Nominee's work may be in any of all of the areas of teaching, patient care, research, administration, govermnet, and/or policy.
  • Key contributions to the literature may include publications of original research, reviews, books, clinical practice guidelines, monographs, administrative directives, and/or public policy papers.

Nomination Materials:

  • Single nomination letter signed by nominator and at least two additional supporters that addresses the eligibility criteria.
  • In addition, 3 digital links to key contributions to the literature.
  • Bio sketch of nominee (no more than 5 pages). May use the NIH bio sketch format. The personal statement and publications should address the award criteria.

Nature of the Award

The recipient receives $500, a framed certificate and is recognized at the Excellence in Rehabilitation of Aging Persons Lecture at the Annual Scientific Meeting. The recipient also presents a lecture at the Society's Annual Scientific Meeting the same year that they are selected as recipient of the award.

Previous Awardees