Professional Membership Group Awards
Interest Group Awards
These awards are presented to recognize and honor individuals in the diabetes scientific and medical community who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and who have made significant research contributions and outstanding career achievements in the areas of behavioral medicine and psychology, podiatry, pregnancy and reproductive health, and macrovascular complications of diabetes.
These awards provide an opportunity to recognize those individuals who play a major part in the advancement of the Association’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.
The four prestigious scientific awards are presented at ADA's annual Scientific Sessions. Recipients receive an honorarium, a travel stipend, and the opportunity to present a lecture at the next Scientific Sessions. Please click on the award names below to review their descriptions and nomination information.
Edwin Bierman Award
Honoring Outstanding Scientific Achievement in the Prevention and Treatment of Macrovascular Complications
Norbert Freinkel Award
Honoring Outstanding Scientific Achievement in the Understanding and Treatment of Diabetes and Pregnancy
Richard R. Rubin Award
Honoring Outstanding Scientific Achievement in the Understanding of the Behavioral Aspects of Diabetes
Roger Pecoraro Award
Honoring Outstanding Scientific Achievement in the Prevention, Treatment, and Management of Diabetic Foot Complications
Interest Group Awards Eligibility Criteria:
The below criteria apply to all nominations. Please review the award profiles for additional information.
• Nominees must possess an MD or PhD degree, or equivalent.
• Eligibility is limited to those who have not received other ADA National Awards during the preceding three years.
• Nominees may not be the current ADA President of Health Care and Education or the current ADA President of Medicine & Science or have held either of these positions within the past three years.
• Interest Group Leadership Team members of the specific Interest Groups distributing the awards as well as members of the ADA's Science, Medicine, and Health Care Awards Committee are not eligible during their term of service.
See the Interest Group Leadership Team roster
Nomination packages must include:
• Letter of nomination (no more than 400 words), signed by no more than 3 individuals
• Nominee's biography
• Nominee's curriculum vitae with career and publication highlights, as well as documentation of teaching and mentorship
Questions? Please email interestgroups@diabetes.org.
See the winners of the 2024 Professional Interest Group Awards
Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award
Presented by Women’s Interprofessional Network of the American Diabetes Association (WIN ADA)
The Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award is given in memory of Lois Jovanovic, MD, a renowned scientist in the field of diabetes and women’s health who passed away in September 2018. Dr. Jovanovic, who lived with type 1 diabetes herself, drove research that improved neonatal outcomes for other women affected by the disease, and was an iconic woman scientist in the field. Presented by the Women’s Interprofessional Network of the American Diabetes Association (WIN ADA), the Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award recognizes a woman scientist, clinician, educator, or other female professional who has made a significant impact in the field of diabetes and/or in the lives of people affected by the disease.
Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award Recipient Selection Process:
- The award recipient will be chosen by the WIN ADA Advisory Group. The selection committee will review and discuss all nominations and select the recipient on the basis of outstanding achievements in diabetes care, research, education, or related disciplines.
- The award winner is approved by the National Scientific & Health Care Achievement Awards Committee and by the Executive Committee of the American Diabetes Association, February 2024.
Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award Eligibility Criteria:
- Principal criteria: To recognize a female professional in the diabetes field who has made outstanding contributions to diabetes research, clinical practice, diabetes education, public health, and/or other related disciplines.
- Nominees will be recognized for national and/or international contributions to the field of diabetes. Both U.S. and non-U.S. residents are eligible.
- There are no specific degree requirements.
- Nominees’ contributions to the ADA and to the broader diabetes community may also be taken into consideration.
- Nominees may not be current ADA national officers or have held a national officer position within the past three years.
- Nominees may not be current members of the WIN ADA Advisory Group or serve on the ADA’s Medicine, Science, & Health Care Awards Committee.
Nomination Submission Guidelines:
All Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award nominations must have the following documents uploaded as one PDF file:
- Letter of nomination (no more than 400 words), signed by no more than 3 individuals
- Nominee's biography
- Nominee's curriculum vitae with career and publication highlights, as well as documentation of teaching and mentorship
Nominations are accepted from professional members of the ADA as well as non-members. Nominations from WIN ADA members are highly encouraged and will be solicited.
View the award profile