Award Recipients

Discover current and past winners of annual award honors granted by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

L. Kent Smith Award of Excellence

The L. Kent Smith Award of Excellence is AACVPR’s most prestigious award and is given in recognition of outstanding contribution by an individual to the fields of cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation. Established in memory and recognition of the vast and numerous scientific and clinical contributions made to the field of cardiovascular rehabilitation by the late L. Kent Smith, MD, this award recognizes one practitioner for outstanding clinical contributions to the field.

The 2023 L. Kent Smith Award of Excellence was presented to:

Eileen Collins, PhD, RN, FAAN, MAACVPR
College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago

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2022: Ray Squires, PhD, MAACVPR, FACSM, FAHA
2021: Trina Limberg, BS, RRT, FAARC, MAACVPR
2020: Bonnie K. Sanderson, PhD, RN, MAACVPR
2019: Gerene S. Bauldoff, PhD, RN, MAACVPR
2018: Anne Gavic-Ott, MPA, RCEP, MAACVPR
2017: Chris Garvey, FNP, MSN, MPA, MAACVPR
2016: Murray Low, EdD, FACSM, MAACVPR
2015: Randal J. Thomas, MD, MS, MAACVPR, FACC, FAHA
2014: Larry F. Hamm, PhD, MAACVPR
2013: Jody C. Hereford, MS, BSN, MAACVPR
2012: Marjorie L. King, MD, FACC, MAACVPR
2011: Karen Lui, MS, BSN, MAACVPR
2010: John Porcari, PhD, MAACVPR
2009: Kerry J. Stewart, EdD, MAACVPR
2008: Brian W. Carlin, MD, MAACVPR
2007: Reed Humphrey, PhD, PT, MAACVPR
2006: Philip A. Ades, MD, MAACVPR
2005: Mark A. Williams, PhD, MAACVPR
2004: Pat Comoss, RN, BS, MAACVPR
2003: Linda K. Hall, PhD, MAACVPR
2002: Andrew L. Ries, MD, MPH, MAACVPR
2001: L. Kent Smith, MD, MPH, FAACVPR
2000: Nancy Houston Miller, RN, BSN, FAACVPR
1999 William L. Haskell, PhD, FACSM, FAACVPR
1998: John E. Hodgkin, MD, MAACVPR
1997: Henry S. Miller, Jr., MD, MAACVPR
1996: Terence Kavanagh, MD, FAACVPR
1995: Thomas L. Petty, MD
1994: Philip K. Wilson, EdD, MAACVPR
1993: Michael L. Pollock, PhD, FAACVPR
1992: Barry A. Franklin, PhD, MAACVPR
1991: Kathy A. Berra, MSN, ANP, MAACVPR
1990: Bruno Balke, MD, PhD
1989: William F. Miller, MD
1988: Samuel M. Fox, III, MD, FAACVPR
1987: Nanette Kass Wenger, MD, MAACVPR
1986: Herman K. Hellerstein, MD, FAACVPR

L. Kent Smith Excellence in Clinical Practice Award*

*This award was discontinued in 2012.

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2011: Vera Bittner, MD, MSPH, FAACVPR
2010: Gerald Fletcher, MD
2009: Lana Hilling, CRT, RCP, FAACVPR
2008: Kathy Berra, MSN, ANP, FAACVPR
2007: Carl N. King, EdD, FAACVPR
2006: Noel D. Nequin, MD, FAACVPR
2005: Glen H. Porter, PhD
2004: Wayne Sotile, PhD, FAACVPR
2003: Howard Pyfer

Distinguished Service Award

Our organization thrives because of selfless, dedicated leaders to volunteer their time and expertise to advancing our mission. To recognize those contributions, through elected positions and committee involvement, each year, the AACVPR Distinguished Service Award is presented to accomplished professionals whose exceptional leadership has significantly benefited our society.

The 2023 Distinguished Service Award was presented to:

Tonja Bell, MS, CCRP, FAACVPR

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2022: Ana Mola, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, MAACVPR
2021: Todd M. Brown, MD, MSPH, FACC, MAACVPR
2020: Ellen Aberegg, MA, LD, RDN, FAACVPR and Amy Knight, PhD, ABPP
2019: Tamara Garwick, MA, ACSM, RCEP, CES, FAACVPR, Susi Mathis, MS, RCEP, CES, RN, CCRP, FAACVPR
2018: Maria Buckley, PhD
2017: Jane S. Knipper, RN, MA, AE-C, MAACVPR, Barbara B. Flato, MSN, RN-BC, CCRP, FAACVPR, Joel W. Hughes, PhD, FAACVPR
2016: Barbara B. Flato, MSN, RN-BC, CCRP, FAACVPR
2015: Kent A. Eichenauer, PsyD, FAACVPR
2014: Bonnie Anderson, MS, CES, RCEP, FAACVPR; Patrick Savage, MS, FAACVPR
2013: Barbra A. Fagan, MS, RCEP, FAACVPR; Tracy Herrewig, MS, RECEP, FAACVPR; Kathleen Zarling, MS, RN, ACNS-BC, FPCNA, FAACVPR
2012: Richard A. Josephson, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FACP, FAACVPR; Michael McNamara, MS, FAACVPR; Randal J. Thomas, MD, MS, FAACVPR
2011: Gerene S. Bauldoff, RN, PhD, FAACVPR; Larry F. Hamm, PhD, FAACVPR
2010: Mark D. Senn, PhD, FAACVPR; Steven Lichtman, EdD, FAACVPR
2009: Chris Garvey, FNP, MSN, MPA, FAACVPR; Helen Graham, PhD, RN
2008: Katrina Parker, MS, FAACVPR; Gayla Oakley, RN, RAACVPR; Jonathan Raskin, MD, FAACVPR
2007: Candace Steele, RN, BC, MA, FAACVPR; Mark Vitcenda, MS, FAACVPR
2006: G. Curt Meyer, MS, FACHE, FAACVPR; June Schulz, RRT, FAACVPR; Murray Low, EdD, FAACVPR
2005: Susan Carter, RN, BC, FAACVPR; Rebecca Crouch, PT, MS, FAACVPR; Robin Cuffe, MSEd, RN, BC, CHES, FAACVPR
2004: Sue Keller, BSN, MS, FAACVPR; Jane Reardon, MSN, APRN, FAACVPR; Bonnie K. Sanderson, PhD, RN, FAACVPR
2003: Marjorie King, MD, FAACVPR; Anne Gavic, BS, FAACVPR; Jody Heggestad Hereford, BSN, MS, FAACVPR; Trina Limberg, BS, RRT, FAACVPR; Richard ZuWallack, MD
2002: Edward J. Haver, MA, FAACVPR; Terri A. Merritt-Worden, MS, FAACVPR; Douglas R. Southard, PhD, MPH, PA-C, FAACVPR
2001: Philip A. Ades, MD, FAACVPR; Kathy Berra, ANP, MSN, FAACVPR; Reed Humphrey, PhD, PT, FAACVPR; Karen R. Lui, RN, C, MS, FAACVPR; Gretchen W. Peske, RN, MSN, FAACVPR
2000: F. Stuart Sanders, MD, FAACVPR; Kimberly Wood Woeber, PhD, FAACVPR
1999: Gary J. Balady, MD, FAACVPR; Carl N. King, EdD, FAACVPR; Jeanne E. Ruff, MS, FAACVPR
1998: Brian W. Carlin, MD, FAACVPR; Martha Livingston, RN, MBA, FAACVPR; Noel Nequin, MD, FAACVPR; Lenore Zohman, MD
1997: Mary Burns, RN, BS; Kenneth Moser, MD; Kerry J. Stewart, EdD, FAACVPR; Mark A. Williams, PhD, FAACVPR
1995: Susan D. Fuhrman, RN, C, RRT, FAACVPR; John P. Porcari, PhD, FAACVPR; Andrew L. Ries., MD, MPH, FAACVPR
1994: Gerilynn L. Connors, RCP, RRT, FAACVPR; Linda K. Hall, PhD, FAACVPR; Lana Hilling, RCP, CRTT, FAACVPR

Dr. Linda K. Hall Innovation Award

The Dr. Linda K. Hall Innovation Award was designed to recognize a program that used outstanding creativity in patient care and program design to maintain excellence and expand services today and in the future. In 2016, the AACVPR Board of Directors announced the renaming of the Innovation Award in honor and in memory of Dr. Linda K. Hall, who served as AACVPR’s fifth president from 1989-1990.

The 2023 Dr. Linda K. Hall Innovation Award was awarded to: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside.

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2022: St. Vincent Healthcare Cardiac Rehab Home Based Program
2021: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
2020: Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla – Cardiopulmonary Treatment Center
2019: Morton Plant Mease Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation
2018: Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, VA
2017: University of Alabama at Birmingham Telehealth Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program's, Birmingham, AL
2016: Fairview Health Services - Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Rehab, Wyoming, MN
2015: Banner Desert Medical Center, Mesa, AZ
2014: Upland Hills Health's Cancer Empowermant Program, Dodgeville, WI
2010: Fletcher Allen Health Care South Burlington, VT
2009: Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital's Return to Work: Live Your Action Potential, Dallas, TX
2008: University of Michigan's Metabolic Fitness Program, Ann Arbor, MI
2007: William Beaumont Hospital Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation's Advanced Training Program (ATP), Royal Oak, MI
2006: Beaufort Memorial Hospital's LifeFit Chronic Disease Management Program, Beaufort, SC
2005: Summa Health System, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Akron, OH

Outstanding Affiliate Society Award

The AACVPR Outstanding Affiliate Society Award recognizes an affiliate that supports and encourages the mission and goals of AACVPR through member activities, educational opportunities and professional development.

The 2023 AACVPR Outstanding Affiliate Society Award was presented to Tri-State Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

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2022: Nebraska Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Rehabilitation Network (NCVPRN)
2021: Montana Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (MACVPR)
2020: Minnesota Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (MNACVPR)
2019: Wisconsin Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Health & Rehabilitation (WISCPHR)
2018: California Society for Cardiac Rehab (CSCR)
2017: Illinois Society for Cardiopulmonary Health and Rehabilitation (ISCHR)
2016: Iowa Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (IACPR)
2015: Texas Association of Cardiovascularr and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (TACVPR)
2014: Ohio Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (OACVPR)
2013: Wisconsin Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Health and Rehabilitation (WISCPHR)
2012: North Carolina Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Association (NCCRA)
2011: Missouri-Kansas Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (MOKSACVPR)
2010: Texas Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (TACVPR)
2009: Michigan Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (MSCVPR)
2008: Upper Plains Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Association (UPCRA)
2007: Wisconsin Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Health and Rehabilitation (WISCPHR)
2006: Tri-State Society for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (TSSCVPR)

Michael L. Pollock Established Investigator Award

The Michael L. Pollock Established Investigator Award is presented to an individual who has made significant advances in the field of cardiac rehabilitation through research and scholarly contributions and has earned national prominence in the field.

The 2023 Michael L. Pollock Established Investigator Award was presented to:

Benjamin D. Levine, MD, FACC, FAHA, FACSM
Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas

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2022: Daniel Forman, MD, FAHA, FACC
2021: Dalane Kitzman, MD
2020: Ross Arena, PhD, PT, FAHA, FESC, FACSM, FAACVPR
2019: Mary A. Whooley, MD, FACP, FAHA, FACC
2018: Sherry L. Grace, PhD, CSS
2017: Randal J. Thomas, MD, MS, MAACVPR, FACC, FAHA
2016: William Kraus, MD
2015: Paul D. Thompson, MD
2014: Vera Bittner, MSPH, MD, MAACVPR
2013: Carl "Chip" Lavie, MD, FACC, FACP, FCCP
2012: Nanette Kass Wenger, MD, MAACVPR
2011: William L. Haskell, PhD, FACSM, FAACVPR
2010: Richard Casaburi, PhD, MD, FAACVPR
2009: Steven Keteyian, PhD, FAACVPR
2008: Josef Niebauer, MD, PhD
2007: Jonathan Myers, PhD, FAACVPR
2006: Carl Foster, PhD, MAACVPR
2005: Neil B. Oldridge, PhD, FAACVPR
2004: Barry A. Franklin, PhD, MAACVPR
2003: Gary J. Balady, MD, MAACVPR
2002: James A. Blumenthal, PhD, FAACVPR
2001: Philip A. Ades, MD, MAACVPR

Thomas L. Petty Distinguished Pulmonary Scholar Award

The Thomas .L Petty Distinguished Pulmonary Scholar Award is presented to an individual who has made significant advances in the field of pulmonary rehabilitation through research and scholarly contributions and has earned national prominence in the field.

The 2023 Thomas L. Petty Distinguished Pulmonary Scholar Award was presented to:

Carolyn L. Rochester, MD FCCP
VA Connecticut Healthcare System

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2022: Jean Bourbeau, MD, MSc, FRCPC, FCAHS
2021: Dina Brooks, PhD, MSc, BSc(PT)
2020: Barry J. Make, MD
2019: Martijn A. Spruit, PhD, PT
2018: Linda Nici, MD
2017: Richard L. ZuWallack, MD
2016: Neil R. MacIntyre, MD, FAACVPR
2015: Roger S. Goldstein, MB, ChB, FRCP (UK) FRCP (C) FCCP
2014: Eileen G. Collins, PhD, RN, FAACVPR, FAAN
2013: Bartolome R. Celli, MD
2012: Andrew L. Ries, MD, MPH, MAACVPR

Presidential Recognition & Citation Award

Each year, the AACVPR president has the privilege to recognize individuals who have had impacted their year at the helm of our organization.

The 2023 Presidential Recoginition Award was presented to Karen R. Lui, BSN,
MS, MAACVPR.

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2022: Chris Garvey, FNP, MSN, MPA, MAACVPR, and Chris Schumann, MS, ACSM-CEP
2021: Jenny Adams, CCRP, PhD and Alexis Beatty, MD, MAS
2020: Todd M. Brown, MD, MSPH, FACC, FAACVPR
2019: Steven J. Keteyian, PhD, FAACVPR, Million Hearts
2018: Vera Bittner, MD, MSPH, MAACVPR; Murray Low, EdD, FACSM, MAACVPR; Bonnie Sanderson, RN, PhD, MAACVPR
2017: Adam T. deJong, MA, FAACVPR, FACSM, Steven J. Keteyian, PhD, FAACVPR
2016: Gerene S. Bauldoff, PhD, RN, FCCP, FAACVpR, FAAN; Barbra Fagan, MS, RCEP, FAACVPR, Marjorie L. King, MD, FACC, MAACVPR
2015: Murray Low, EdD, FACSM, MAACVPR
2014: Karen Lui, RN, MS, MAACVPR; Abigail Lynn, AACVPR Operations Manager
2013: Philip A. Ades, MD, MAACVPR; Steven J. Keteyian, PhD, FAACVPR
2012: Bonnie L. Anderson, MS, CES, RCEP, FAACVPR; Jensen S. Chiu, MHA; Mark Vitcenda, MS, RCEP, FAACVPR
2011: Mark Williams, PhD, MAACVPR
2010: Phillip Porte, Legislative Analyst, GRQ Consulting, LLC; Thomas J. Spring (MSCVPR); Richard Sukeena (OACVPR); Denise M. LaRocca (RMCRA); Karen E. Pyle (NYSACP&R)
2008: Karen R. Lui, RN, MS, FAACVPR & Phil Porte, Legislative Analyst; Grace Ann Dorney Koppel
2007: Randal J. Thomas, MD, FAACVPR
2006: Karen R. Lui, RN, MA, FAACVPR
2005: Tracy A. Herrewig, MA, RCEP, FAACVPR
2003: Gary J. Balady, MD; Terri A. Merritt-Worden, MS; F. Stuart Sanders, MD

Beginning Investigator Award

The Beginning Investigator Award is given to outstanding researchers who are within five years of their latest degree or final training. Four scientific abstracts are chosen as finalists for this award, and each is given a platform presentation during a special session at the AACVPR Annual Meeting. The presentations are then judged by the AACVPR Research Committee, and the Beginning Investigator Award winner receives a certificate and $250.

The 2023 Beginning Investigator Award was presented to Harika Reddy, MPH, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA, for her presentation Identifying and Prioritizing Barriers to Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation Among Patients With Heart Failure: A Modified Delphi Study.

Honorable Mention:

Blair Yant, BS, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

Title of Abstract: Lower Socioeconomic Status Patient Characteristics Entering Phase 2 Cardiac Rehabilitation

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2022: William A. Middleton, MA
2021: Kimberley L. Radtke, PhD Candidate (ABD)
2020: Meredith Shea, Ph.D.
2019: Sherrie Khadanga, MD; Honorable Mention: Kayla B. Mahoney, MS, CCRP, CSCS
2018: Kyle Gobeil, DO, MSc
2017: Grace A. LaValley, DNP (c), MSN, RN-C
2016: Allison Schley, ACSM-CEP
2015: Maria Cress, MS