Committees

Awards

Members
Susan Stott, MD PhD  (Chair)
Peter A. Blasco, MD  (Past Chair)
Barbara Weissman, MD
Iona E. Novak, PhD
Gordon Worley, MD
Noelle G. Moreau, PhD, PT
Richard C. Adams, MD
Cathleen E. Buckon, MS, OT
Virginia F. Wright, PhD, PT
Mark J. Romness, MD
Edward R. Dabrowski, MD
Vineeta T. Swaroop, MD
Laurie M. Snider, PhD, OT(C)
Christine M. Houlihan, MD
Marek Jozwiak, MD, PhD
Volker Mall, MD
Michael D. Aiona, MD  (Board Liaison)

The American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, through the effort of the Awards Committee, each year recognizes individuals who have either made significant research contributions or who are felt to have great promise to do so. The Committee is made up of Academy members with strong backgrounds in research and mentoring who devote considerable time and effort during and between annual meetings in order to arrive at the award recipients each year. Awards Committee members are chosen from across several specialties:

Committee Members (2009-2010)
Laurie Snider, PhD (Occupational Therapy)
Mark Romness, MD (Orthopedics)
Volker Mall, MD (Neurology)
Virginia Wright, PhD (Physical Therapy)
Vineeta Swaroop, MD (Orthopedics)
Barbara Weissman, MD (Neurology)
Cathleen Buckon OTR, MS (Occupational Therapy)
Christine Houlihan, MD (Developmental Pediatrics)
Ed Dabrowski, MD (Physical Medicine)
Gordon Worley, MD (Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics)
Iona Novak, PhD (Occupational Therapy)

Purpose: To select the yearly recipient(s) of the following four awards of excellence offered by the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine.

Gayle G. Arnold Award
The Gayle Arnold Award is the most prestigious award of the Academy. This award is named in honor of Dr. Arnold, a self-taught developmental pediatrician and President of the Academy (1989-90). It was initiated in 1947 and is given to the authors of the best scientific paper presented at the previous year’s annual meeting. All free-paper presentations are rated by at least three awards committee members on the basis of scientific quality, clarity and impact. Between 12 and 20 of the highest scoring paper presentations identified by the Chair and Chair-elect, are selected for consideration of the award. First authors will be notified a few weeks following the annual meeting and invited to submit full manuscripts for consideration of the award. Authors will be informed of the timeline for manuscript submission when notified; usually 3-4 month time period is granted for manuscript preparation. Committee members review the manuscripts based on a standardized review criteria. The winner will be notified by Committee Chair and invited to present their work at the upcoming annual meeting. It is strongly encouraged that the authors submit their manuscript for publication in DMCN. The award includes a plaque, a certificate and $2,000 that is contributed by Richmond Children's Hospital, as well as airfare, two nights lodging, and registration for the annual meeting.

Best Scientific Poster Award
All scientific posters are reviewed and rated by at least three awards committee members on the basis of scientific quality, clarity and impact. The highest scoring scientific poster will be announced at the awards session of the current annual meeting. The recipient will receive a certificate and $500 that is contributed by Cerebral Palsy International Research Foundation (CPIRF).

Mac Keith Press Promising Career Award
The Academy has a deep interest in promoting scientific excellence in order to advance knowledge in the field of childhood disabilities. To be eligible for this award the applicant must be an academy member, be within 4 years of completion of training, and indicate an interest in being considered for the award on the annual meeting abstract submission form. Both free-paper presentations and scientific posters (not demonstration posters) can be considered for this award. Award winner will be selected based on committee rating of presented work and announced at the awards session of the current annual meeting. The recipient will receive a certificate and $500, which is contributed by Mac Keith Press, publisher of the Academy’s journal, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology.

Student Travel Scholarships
Every year the Academy, through the generosity of the Board of Directors, provides funding to assist students who show an aptitude for scientific investigation to attend the Annual Meeting. Students interested in being considered for a travel scholarship award must complete the application form and submit it to the Executive Office by April 30, 2010. To be eligible for consideration of this award the applicant must be enrolled in a degree program or fellowship training at the time of submission of the application and must submit an abstract to the annual meeting. All applications will be reviewed and ranked by all Committee members. Award amounts will be at the discretion of the Committee and based on funds available. The award includes complimentary annual meeting registration, four instructional course lectures and financial support towards attendance up to $1,000. Awardees will be notified within 6-8 weeks of application submission.