Celebrate Excellence in Emergency Medicine
Excellence in emergency medicine isn’t rare — it’s everywhere. Every shift, every department, every team has someone who leads, teaches, advocates, or simply shows up when it matters most.
The AAEM Awards exist to recognize those individuals. These are the people who advance our specialty and embody what it means to practice emergency medicine with purpose.
Nominations for the 2026 AAEM Awards will open in December 2025.
Recognition That Resonates
You don’t have to have a national title or headline-worthy project to be recognized.
The AAEM Awards celebrate everyday excellence — the professionalism, compassion, and leadership that define our field.
When you nominate someone, you’re showing them that what they do matters, while reminding all of us why we chose this specialty.
“It wasn’t about the award — it was about realizing that someone noticed the work that usually goes unseen.”
Past AAEM Award Recipient
Simple. Fast. Meaningful.
This year’s nomination process is streamlined, so you can recognize someone remarkable without the red tape.
Just share a name, choose the award that fits, and tell us briefly why your colleague stands out. We will take care of the rest!
Our team will reach out to the nominee directly to collect any supporting information once nominations are received.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Nominee’s name and contact info
- The award category you’d like to nominate them for
- A short note on why they deserve recognition
That’s it! We’ll verify membership, confirm details, and follow up as needed.
Who’s Eligible (and Yes, That Includes You)
The AAEM Awards recognize a wide range of contributions to emergency medicine — from clinical leadership and education to advocacy and global impact.
- Most awards are open to AAEM members in good standing.
- Some awards welcome nominations of non-members who have made outstanding contributions to the Academy or the specialty.
- Self-nominations are encouraged for applicable awards.
- Eligibility for each award is included right in its description — look for the “Who’s Eligible” line below each award title before submitting your nomination.
Awards Timeline
- Nominations Open: December 2025
- Nominee Materials Due: TBD
- Award Recipients Announced: TBD
- Awards Ceremonies: Presented during AAEM’s Annual Scientific Assembly
AAEM Awards
Recognizes an administrator who demonstrates exceptional dedication to emergency medicine and the delivery of high-quality patient care. This award highlights individuals who foster strong physician relationships, improve emergency department operations, and exemplify AAEM’s values through their leadership and advocacy for patient-centered systems.
Who’s Eligible: Administrators who have made significant contributions to supporting emergency physicians and advancing departmental excellence.
- 2023 | Seth Teigen, FACHE
- 2022 | Thomas Tobin, MD MBA FAAEM
- 2020 | Peter M.C. DeBlieux, MD FAAEM
- 2018 | Steven Sonenreich
- 2015 | Gordon Ferguson
- 2014 | Steven Johnson
Celebrates exceptional, longstanding leadership in the international development of emergency medicine. Recipients have made a profound impact on building and advancing the specialty around the world through education, mentorship, policy, or organizational development.
Who’s Eligible: AAEM members whose global efforts have strengthened emergency medicine training, systems, or collaboration.
- 2025 | Lisa A. Moreno, MD MS MSCR FAAEM FIFEM
- 2024 | Eva Tovar Hirashima, MD FAAEM
- 2023 | John R. Acerra, MD FAAEM
- 2022 | Gary M. Gaddis, MD PhD MAEEM FAAEM FIFEM
- 2021 | Sagar C. Galwankar, MD FAAEM
- 2020 | Haywood Hall, MD FIFEM
- 2019 | Zeki Atesli, MD
- 2019 | Jim Connolly, MBBS FRCS(Ed) FCEM
- 2019 | Rajat Gangahar, MBBS FRCS(Ed) FCEM
- 2019 | Bob Jarman, MBBS MSc FRCSE FRCEM
- 2019 | Hein Lamprecht, MD PhD
- 2018 | Ashley Bean, MDFAAEM
- 2017 | Edgardo Jorge Menendez, MD FIFEM
- 2016 | C. James Holliman, MD FACEP FIFEM
- 2015 | Terrence Mulligan, DO MPH FAAEM
- 2014 | Seung Ho Kim, MD
- 2012 | Raed Arafat, MD
- 2010 | Professor Gunnar Ohlen
- 2009 | A. Antoine Kazzi, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2008 | Indrani Sheridan, MD
- 2007 | Professor Paolo Garbarino
- 2006 | Professor Thomas Cesario
- 2005 | Roberta Petrino, MD
- 2005 | Professor Francesco Della Corte
- 2004 | A. Antoine Kazzi, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2003 | Herman Delooz, MD PhD
- 2002 | Joseph Epstein, MD
- 2001 | Professor Ismail Sallam
Honors individuals who have had a lasting, meaningful impact on the specialty of emergency medicine and who have significantly advanced the goals of AAEM. This award reflects Dr. Wagner’s legacy as a pioneer, educator, and advocate for the specialty.
Who’s Eligible: AAEM members whose leadership and influence have meaningfully shaped the Academy and the specialty.
- 2025 | Michelle Wiener, MD FAAEM
- 2024 | Gary M. Gaddis, MD PhD MAAEM FIFEM
- 2023 | Eveline Hitti, MD MBA FAAEM
- 2022 | Joanne Williams, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2020 | Peter G. Anderson, MD FAAEM
- 2019 | Andy Walker, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2018 | Kevin G. Rodgers, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2017 | William T. Durkin, Jr., MD MBA MAAEM FAAEM
- 2016 | Howard Blumstein, MD FAAEM
- 2015 | Tom Scaletta, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2014 | Larry Weiss, MD JD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2012 | Joseph P. Wood, MD JD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2011 | Leslie Zun, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2009 | Ron M. Walls, MD
- 2008 | Robert M. McNamara, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2007 | A. Antoine Kazzi, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2006 | Harvey W. Meislin, MD FAAEM
- 2005 | Joseph Clinton, MD FAAEM
- 2004 | John A. Marx, MD
- 2003 | Robert Simon, MD
- 2002 | James Roberts, MD
- 2001 | Daniel Danzl, MD MAAEM
- 2000 | James Bouzoukis, MD
Celebrates trailblazers who advance gender equity, diversity, and inclusion within AAEM and the broader field of emergency medicine. Honoring Dr. Joanne Williams — the only female founding member of AAEM and first female Master of the Academy — this award recognizes individuals who embody her spirit of mentorship, advocacy, and leadership.
Who’s Eligible: AAEM members who have actively championed initiatives that promote gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- 2025 | Megan Healy, MD FAAEM
- 2024 | Gayle Galletta, MD FAAEM
- 2023 | Loice A. Swisher, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2022 | Adeola Kosoko, MD FAAEM
- 2021 | Lisa A. Moreno, MD MS MSCR FAAEM FIFEM
Recognizes a sustained, outstanding contribution made by a non-member who has played an essential role in advancing AAEM’s mission. Honorees demonstrate measurable, long-term impact — such as strengthening emergency medicine practice, improving physician wellness, supporting advocacy efforts, or expanding organizational reach.
Who’s Eligible: Individuals who are not AAEM members or eligible for membership but have demonstrated a sustained partnership in advancing the Academy’s mission. Nominations require one primary letter and two supporting letters from full-voting AAEM members.
- 2025 | Lisa Hoffman
- 2023 | Kay Whalen, MBA CAE
Recognizes an AAEM/RSA resident member who has made an outstanding contribution to the Academy and demonstrated exceptional promise in leadership, service, or education. This award highlights the next generation of emergency medicine leaders.
Who’s Eligible: Current AAEM/RSA resident members enrolled in an emergency medicine residency program.
- 2025 | Mary Unanyan, DO
- 2024 | Heath Spencer, DO
- 2023 | Leah Colucci, MD MS
- 2022 | Lauren E. Lamparter, MD
- 2021 | Resident Physicians at the American University of Beirut
- 2020 | Haig Aintablian, MD
- 2019 | MohammedMoiz Qureshi, MD MBA FAAEM
- 2018 | Ashley Alker, MD MSc FAAEM
- 2017 | Mary Haas, MD
- 2016 | Victoria Weston, MD
- 2015 | Andrew Phillips, MD MEd FAAEM
- 2014 | Meaghan Mercer, DO
- 2013 | Leana S. Wen, MD MSc
- 2012 | Zachary Repanshek, MD FAAEM
- 2011 | Heather K. Jimenez, MD
- 2010 | Michael Ybarra, MD
- 2009 | Megan Boysen, MD
- 2008 | Daniel Nishijima, MD
- 2007 | Elizabeth Weinstein, MD FAAEM FAAP
- 2006 | Mark Reiter, MD MBA MAAEM FAAEM
- 2005 | Brian Potts, MD MBA FAAEM
- 2004 | Jesse M. Pines, MD MBA
- 2003 | Scott Weiner, MD MPH FAAEM
- 2002 | David Huang, MD
- 2001 | Jeannie Tsai, MD
Recognizes an AAEM member who has shown exceptional skill and dedication to the educational mission of the Academy early in their career. This award celebrates innovation, enthusiasm, and excellence in teaching and educational leadership.
Who’s Eligible: AAEM members who are out of residency or fellowship for ten years or less.
- 2025 | Alexis Salerno, MD FAAEM
- 2024 | Cortlyn Brown, MD FAAEM
- 2023 | Cara Kanter, MD FAAEM
- 2022 | Italo M. Brown, MD MPH FAAEM
- 2021 | Mark Newberry, DO FAAEM FPD-AEMUS
- 2020 | Molly K. Estes, MD FAAEM FACEP
- 2018 | Michael Gottlieb, MD FAAEM
- 2017 | Semhar Z. Tewelde, MD
- 2016 | Jennifer Kanapicki Comer, MD FAAEM
- 2015 | Mimi Lu, MD
- 2014 | Michael Ybarra, MD
- 2013 | Michael S. Pulia, MD PhD FAAEM
- 2012 | Mark Reiter, MD MBA MAAEM FAAEM
- 2011 | Joel M. Schofer, MD MBA CPE FAAEM
- 2010 | Jesse Pines, MD MBA
- 2009 | Erik Kulstad, MD
- 2009 | Michael Winters, MD MBA FAAEM
- 2008 | Michael Epter, DO FAAEM
- 2007 | Jim Colletti, MD FAAEM
- 2006 | Michelle Lin, MD
- 2005 | Robert L. Rogers, MD
- 2004 | J. Christian Fox, MD FAAEM FAIUM
- 2003 | Ghazala Sharieff, MD
- 2002 | Amal Mattu, MD FAAEM
- 2001 | Paul Sierzenski, MD MSHQS RDMS
Honors an individual who has demonstrated passion, skill, and persistence in advocating for emergency medicine. Recipients champion key issues at the federal, state, or local level that advance the mission and vision of AAEM and promote fair practice and patient safety.
Who’s Eligible: AAEM members, legislators, or legislative staff who have had a measurable impact on advocacy efforts aligned with AAEM’s mission.
- 2025 | Shenequa McLeod, MD FAAEM
- 2024 | Mercy Hylton, MD FAAEM
- 2023 | Julie Vieth, MBChB FACEP FAAEM
- 2022 | Debbie D. Fletcher, MD FAAEM
Given the years MEMC is held:
The award would be given to a female physician who has had a long-standing, sustained and profound effect on international development outside of the United States. This individual would need to have demonstrated tangible and measurable involvement in AAEM and/or MEMC
- 2023 | Rasha Sawaya, MD
- 2022 | Judith E. Tintinalli, MD MS FAAEM
- 2019 | Melanie Stander, MD MMed EM
- 2017 | Eveline Hitti, MD MBA FAAEM
Named after AAEM’s founder, this award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding and enduring contribution to the Academy. Recipients exemplify the ideals on which AAEM was founded — integrity, service, and dedication to fair and equitable practice for all emergency physicians.
Who’s Eligible: AAEM members with at least ten years of clinical experience in emergency medicine.
- 2025 | Molly K. Estes, MD FAAEM
- 2024 | Allie Min, MD FAAEM
- 2023 | Laura Bontempo, MD MEd FAAEM
- 2022 | Teresa M. Ross, MD FAAEM
- 2021 | Robert P. Lam, MD FAAEM
- 2020 | Vicki Norton, MD FAAEM
- 2019 | Loice A. Swisher, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2018 | Robert E. Suter, DO MHA FAAEM
- 2017 | Robert A. Frolichstein, MD FAAEM
- 2016 | Andy Walker, III, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2015 | Brian Potts, MD MBA FAAEM
- 2014 | Joanne Williams, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2013 | Roger Stone, MD MS FAAEM FAEMS
- 2012 | Carol Cunningham, MD FAAEM
- 2011 | Howard Roemer, MD
- 2010 | Anthony DeMond, MD MAAEM
- 2009 | David Lawhorn, MD MAAEM
- 2008 | Kevin Beier, MD FAAEM
- 2007 | Mark Batts, MD FAAEM
- 2006 | Samuel H. Glassner, MD
- 2006 | Michael J. Buchele, MD
- 2006 | Stuart B. Shikora, MD
- 2005 | Geoffrey Mitchell, MD
- 2004 | Scott Plantz, MD
- 2003 | John Christensen, MD
- 2002 | Joseph Lex, Jr., MD MAAEM FIFEM
- 2001 | James Cohen, MD
Recognizes an AAEM member who has made a substantial and enduring contribution to the educational mission of the Academy. This award celebrates those who develop, lead, and inspire high-quality educational programs that elevate emergency medicine practice.
Who’s Eligible: AAEM members who have completed residency at least ten years prior to nomination and demonstrated consistent educational leadership
- 2025 | Harman S. Gill, MD FAAEM
- 2024 | Christopher Colbert, DO
- 2024 | Molly Estes, MD FAAEM
- 2023 | Mark I. Langdorf, MD MHPE MAAEM FAAEM
- 2022 | Frank L. Christopher, MD FAAEM
- 2021 | Evie Marcolini, MD FAAEM FACEP FCCM
- 2020 | Ziad N. Kazzi, MD FAAEM FACMT FAACT
- 2019 | Joelle Borhart, MD FAAEM FACEP
- 2018 | Michael Winters, MD BA FAAEM
- 2017 | Kevin C. Reed, MD FAAEM
- 2016 | Christopher Doty, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2015 | David Farcy, MD MAAEM FAAEM FCCM
- 2014 | Lillian Oshva, MD
- 2013 | Michael L. Epter, DO FAAEM
- 2012 | James Colletti, MD FAAEM
- 2011 | Ghazala Q. Sharieff, MD
- 2010 | Richard Shih, MD FAAEM
- 2009 | Kevin Rodgers, MD
- 2008 | Amal Mattu, MD FAAEM
- 2007 | Richard Nunez, MD
- 2006 | Michael Lambert, MD RDMS FAAEM
- 2005 | Mitchell Goldman, DO MAAEM FAAEM FAAP
The MAAEM designation honors senior AAEM fellows who have demonstrated a long and distinguished career of extraordinary service to the Academy and to the specialty of emergency medicine. Nominees exemplify excellence in one or more domains — clinical practice, teaching, research, leadership, advocacy, or volunteerism — and are recognized as preeminent figures within the field.
Who’s Eligible: Senior AAEM fellows who have shown extraordinary service to AAEM and the specialty. Nominations require four letters of reference and a current curriculum vitae. Current board members are ineligible during active service but may be nominated two years after completing their term.
- 2025 | Andrew P. Mayer, MD FAAEM
- 2025 | Lisa A. Moreno, MD MS MSCR FAAEM FIFEM
- 2024 | William G. Gossman, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2024 | Marianne Haughey, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2023 | Mark I. Langdorf, MD MHPE MAAEM FAAEM
- 2023 | Leslie Zun, MD MBA MAAEM FAAEM
- 2022 | David A. Farcy, MD MAAEM FAAEM FCCM
- 2022 | Gary M. Gaddis, MD PhD MAEEM FAAEM FIFEM
- 2022 | Mitchell J. Goldman, DO MAAEM FAAEM FAAP
- 2021 | Steven Rosenbaum, MD MAAEM
- 2021 | Loice Swisher, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2021 | Andy Walker, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2020 | Christopher I. Doty, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2019 | Mark Reiter, MD MBA MAAEM FAAEM
- 2019 | Daniel F. Danzl, MD MAAEM
- 2018 | Joanne Williams, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2018 | William Durkin, Jr., MD MBA MAAEM FAAEM
- 2018 | Kevin G. Rodgers, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2017 | David W. Lawhorn, MD MAAEM
- 2016 | Robert McNamara, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2015 | Larry Weiss, MD JD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2014 | Anthony DeMond, MD MAAEM
- 2014 | James Keaney, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2014 | Tom Scaletta, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2013 | Amin Antoine Kazzi, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2013 | Joseph P. Wood, MD JD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2012 | Joseph R. Lex, Jr., MD MAAEM FIFEM
Honors an AAEM member who has demonstrated outstanding academic leadership and made substantial contributions to education and scholarship in emergency medicine. This award reflects the enduring influence of academic mentors who advance both the Academy’s mission and the profession at large.
Who’s Eligible: AAEM members with at least ten years of experience in an academic leadership position within emergency medicine.
- 2025 | Mark Reiter, MD MBA MAAEM FAAEM
- 2024 | Michael C. Bond, MD FAAEM FACEP
- 2023 | Marianne Haughey, MD FAAEM
- 2022 | Christopher I. Doty, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2020 | Michael L. Epter, DO FAAEM
- 2019 | Joel M. Schofer, MD MBA CPE FAAEM
- 2018 | A. Antoine Kazzi, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2017 | Shahram Lotfipour, MD MPH FAAEM
- 2016 | Corey Slovis, MD FAAEM FACEP
- 2015 | Mel Herbert, MD
- 2014 | Steve Rosenbaum, MD
- 2013 | Amal Mattu, MD FAAEM
- 2012 | Gary Gaddis, MD PhD MAAEM FAAEM FIFEM
- 2011 | Stephen R. Hayden, MD FAAEM
- 2010 | Gus Garmel, MD FAAEM FACEP
- 2009 | Robert M. McNamara, MD MAAEM FAAEM
- 2008 | Judith Tintinalli, MD MS
- 2007 | Peter De Blieux, MD
- 2007 | Jorge Martinez, MD
- 2007 | Trevor Mills, MD MPH FAAEM
- 2007 | Keith Van Meter, MD FAAEM
- 2006 | David Kramer, MD
- 2005 | Mark Langdorf, MD MHPE MAAEM FAAEM
- 2004 | William Barsan, MD
- 2003 | Jerome Hoffman, MD
- 2002 | Jerris Hedges, MD FAAEM
- 2001 | Vincent Markovchick, MD
Questions? Email AAEM or call (800) 884-2236