Awards

At every Conference, PHA recognizes the unique contributions of certain individuals in the pulmonary hypertension community through PHA’s Outstanding Member Awards. The award categories, the criteria used to make the award selection and a list of previous winners appears below. To nominate someone for an award please print the nomination form provided here and return to the PHA office no later than April 1, 2008. Please limit yourself to one nominee per category. Winners will be announced at the 2008 Conference in Houston.

Nomination Form (PDF)

PHA Award for Excellence in PAH Care    
The PHA Award for Excellence in PAH Care recognizes an outstanding physician who has been most notable in his/her service to PHA and in promoting excellent clinical care, research, education and advocacy on behalf of PH patients. Starting in 2007, the Outstanding Physician Award became an annual award, and thanks to an unrestricted educational grant from Actelion, the winner’s institution receives a $50,000 grant. In non-conference years, the award is presented at the American Thoracic Society Meeting.
Previous winners: 2007 – John Newman, MD and James Loyd, MD; 2006 – Greg Elliot, MD; 2004 – Michael McGoon, MD; 2002 – David Badesch, MD; 2000 – Bruce Brundage, MD; 1998 – Stuart Rich, MD; 1996 – Lewis Rubin, MD; 1994 – Walker Long, MD.

Outstanding Medical Professional
The Outstanding Medical Professional (Nurses, Physician’s Assistants, Technicians, Therapists) contributes to the PH community through any combination of the following: participation in advocacy and awareness efforts, service to PHA and providing kind and compassionate care to PH patients.
Previous winners: 2006 – Daniela Brady, RN; 2004 – Eileen Shalit, RN, BSN; 2002 – Traci Housten, RN, MS; 2000 – Beth Vogel, RN; 1998 – Cathy Anderson-Severson, RN, BSN.

Outstanding PH Citizen (patient)
The Outstanding PH citizen award is given to a patient who exemplifies dedication to the PH community through any combination of the following: raising awareness, advocating for PH patients, participation in fundraising efforts, service to PHA, and helping to provide the public with a voice and face of the PH community.
Previous winners: 2006 – Gail Boyer Hayes; 2004 – Candi Bleifer; 2002 – Shirley Craig and the Stibbs family; 2000 – Bonnie Dukart and the Smith family; 1998 – Jan Travioli and the Simpson family; 1996 – Dorothy Olson and Pat Paton; 1994 – Teresa Knazik.

Outstanding Caregiver
The Outstanding Caregiver award is given to someone who focuses their efforts on the needs of a loved one with PH and does their best to ensure the patient has the best quality of life possible.
Previous winners: 2006 – Christina Puckett; 2004 – Linda Rocco; 2002 – Jerry Paton; 2000 – Betty Lou Wojciechowski; 1998 – Harry Olson.

Outstanding PHA Support Group Leader
The Outstanding PHA Support Group Leader award is given to a support group leader who provides a welcoming environment for patients, families and friends of PH patients; champions and serves PHA by leading local efforts to raise awareness; leads and participates in advocacy efforts and acts as a PH ambassador to the general public.
Previous winners: 2006 – Cheryl Massaro; 2004 – Jean Szwarc; 2002 – Joanne Sperando-Schmidt; 2000 – Maribeth McCarthy.

Julie Hendry Memorial Scholarship Award - for non-patient volunteer
Julie Paton Hendry, daughter of PHA founding members Pat and Jerry Paton, was the first full-time non-patient PHA volunteer. She looked forward to the PHA Conference as an opportunity to meet the PH patients and families she talked with by telephone and email. Sadly, Julie passed away in 1998. In her memory, her family established the Julie Hendry Memorial Scholarship Award to help a non-patient volunteer attend Conference. This award will be presented to a non-patient who is a member of and actively supports PHA (e.g. serving as a support group leader, raising public awareness, fundraising). The award is to be used for Conference registration and transportation and is not to exceed $1,000. This award is self-nominated and applicants can be extended family, friends and supporters who help to further the cause of PHA. Professionals employed in the care of PH patients are not eligible to apply.
Previous winners: 2006 – Heather Koczur and Christi Hetrick; 2004 – Theresa Kuhn; 2002 – Dena Giddens; 2000 – Carol Wilson.