Awards

Distinguished International Service in the Cause of Diabetes

Award Profile:

Given to honor outstanding service that has been performed with an international perspective and impact, this award recognizes those whose efforts have increased awareness of the diabetes burden worldwide to improve the care and lives of those with diabetes—specifically by establishing relationships across diabetes organizations.

Criteria for Selection (candidates can be peer or self-nominated): 

  • The nominee will demonstrate long-term volunteer service to one or more diabetes-related organizations.
  • Broad professional expertise and contributions in diabetes may be recognized, including but not exclusive to clinical care, research, education, health policy, and advocacy.
  • The nominee can represent any type of diabetes clinical professional.
  • Both U.S. and non-U.S. residents are eligible for award.
  • Contributions and volunteer service to both national and international diabetes organizations and the boarder diabetes community may also be taken into consideration.

Lecture/Publication:

  • There is no lecture associated with this award.

Honorarium/Travel/Registration:

  • The recipient receives a $3,000 honorarium.
  • The award includes complimentary registration to the 85th Scientific Sessions in Chicago, IL, taking place June 20–23, 2025.   

2025 Nomination/Submission Process:

  • Nominations must be submitted using the electronic nomination form. All submissions must be received on or before 8:00 p.m. ET on September 20, 2024. 

  • Nominations are accepted from any ADA professional member.

    All nominations must have the following documents uploaded as one PDF file:

    • The letter of nomination/support, whether peer or self-nominated, must be no more than 400 words and signed by no more than three individuals. It should address the criteria for selection.
    • The nominee’s biography

    • The nominee’s CV with career highlights and documentation of international contribution. 

      Questions? Email Gedeon Topacio, program manager, at gtopacio@diabetes.org. 

Selection:

The recipient is chosen by the National Scientific & Health Care Achievement Awards Committee and approved by the ADA’s Executive Committee in February 2025.

2024 Distinguished International Service in the Cause of Diabetes Award Recipient

Prof Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya, MD

Previous Harold Rifkin Award Recipients:

2023 Mark A. Atkinson, PhD        
2021 Juleen R. Zierath, PhD        
2020 Anne-Marie Felton, RN (retd), DSN (retd)        
2019 Juliana C. N. Chan, MB, ChB, MD, FRCP        
2018 Viswanathan Mohan, MD, PhD, DSc        
2017 Roger S. Mazze, PhD        
2016 Yutaka Seino, MD, PhD        
2015 Carl Erik Mogensen, MD        
2014 Jaakko Tuomilehto, MD, MA, PhD, FESC, FRCP (Edin)
2013 Graham Ogle, MBBS, FRACP        
 

2012 Pierre Lefèbvre, MD, PhD, FRCP, MAE        
2011 Rury R. Holman, FRCP     
2010 Peter H. Bennett, MD Ch.B, FRCP, FFPH        
2009 Mahmoud Ashraf Ibrahim,MD        
2008 Andrew JM Boulton, MD, FRCP        
2007 Martin Silink, AM, MD, FRACP        
2006 Jaime A. Davidson, MD        
2005 Insulin for Life        
2004 Jean-Claude Mbyana, MD        
2003 Linda M. Siminerio, RN, PhD, CDE 
2002 Paul Zimmet, MD, PhD        
2001 Sterling Tucker          
 


2000 Maria de Alva
1999 Michael Berger, MD
1998 Errol Morrison, MD        
1997 K.G.M.M. Alberti, Dphil
1996 Meng H. Tan, MD
1995 Hilary King, DSc        
1994 Wendell Mayes, Jr.        
1993 Leo P. Krall, MD        
1992 Harry Keen, MD        
1991 Harold Rifkin, MD