Awards
Each year, the Aging & Public Health Section highlights aging issues and recognizes those who have taken positive action in support of older adults at the APHA Annual Meeting.
For more information, contact Wenhan Guo.
View our 2015 Awards Program, 2016 Awards Program, 2017 Awards Program, and 2018 Awards Program for the list of winners!
2025 Award Winners
Archstone Foundation Award for Excellence in Program Innovation
Village Movement California
Philip G. Weiler Award for Leadership in Aging and Public Health
Annie Nguyen, PhD, MPH, University of California- San Diego
Steven P. Wallace Emerging Advocate Award
Ally Hucek, PhD Candidate, University of South Carolina
Chair’s Citation
Emily J. Nicklett, PhD, MSW, FGSA, University of Texas- San Antonio
RESEARCH PAPER AWARDS
Aetna Award for Excellence in Research on Older Women and Public Health
Award Winner
Susanna Gunamany, MPH, Ph.D., Stanford University
Patient perspectives on digital health interventions for overactive bladder care in older adults: A qualitative study
Rural and Environment Research Award
Award Winner
Grace Karikari, PhD, MPH, University of North Dakota
Caring for the aging population in Ghana: knowledge, beliefs, and best practices
Betty J. Cleckley Minority Issues Research Award
Award Winner
Wenjie Sun, PhD, Oklahoma State University
Early-life famine exposure and cognitive function in older Chinese
Nabuo Maeda International Research Award
Award Winner
Xiangxiang Jiang, MPH, University of South Carolina
Casual effect of antidementia drugs on economic burden and healthcare utilization in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD): A machine learning approach
Honorable Mention
Dahye Hong, Yonsei University
Association between perceived ageism and cognitive impairment among older adults
Erickson Foundation Award for Excellence in Research
Award Winner
Emma Uridge, MPH, Kansas Health Institute
Laying the groundwork for an age-friendly ecosystem in Kansas
James G. Zimmer New Investigator Research Award
Award Winner
Jun Chu, PhD, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Associates of respite care utilization among family caregivers of older adults in the US: Findings from National Survey of Caregiving 2015-2021
Honorable Mention
Laura Quintero, PhD, University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Implementation and effectiveness of community-based peer and social support interventions for bereaved older adults: An umbrella review
Master’s Student Research Award
Award Winner
Lauren Vuong, Stanford University
Improving the reach of the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to older adults using the California Elder Index (CEI)
Honorable Mention
Wuraola Ruth Awosan MD, MPH, Liberty University
Communication technology, loneliness, social Isolation, and health: A study of older US adults
Laurence G. Branch Doctoral Student Research Award
Award Winner
Ruqoyat Abdulsalam, University of Colorado Denver
The association of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias with unplanned hospital inpatient utilization among American Indian and Alaska Native Medicare beneficiaries
Cumulative Achievement Awards
Steven Wallace Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an outstanding individual with a 20-year or longer career and who has made a significant contribution to public service, scholarship, or science in the areas of geriatrics and gerontology. This award is named after a longtime Section leader, Dr. Steve Wallace, who passed away in 2021.
Philip G. Weiler Award For Leadership in Aging and Public Health
The Philip G. Weiler Award for Leadership in Aging and Public Health is presented to an outstanding person or organization who has made significant contributions to the field through policy, research, education, or service and has contributed to the Section through leadership activities or funding and policy initiatives.
Best Scientific Papers at APHA Annual Meeting
Susan B. Anthony Aetna Award for Excellence in Research on Older Women and Public Health
Women are the majority of care recipients and caregivers and have longer life expectancies. As a result, long-term care and health care in general are top issues of concern for women today. An overriding goal of the award program is to recognize individuals who make a significant contribution to research on older women and public health.
Erickson Foundation Research Award in Positive Aging
This award recognizes high-caliber research that significantly advances our understanding of physical, social, psychological, financial, and/or civic dimensions of positive aging on either the individual or community level. This research should enhance the impact of such scientific advances on public policy.
Nobuo Maeda International Research Award
This award is for International research topics. The award is intended to recognize and further the career of leaders in international research and policy development.
Betty J. Cleckley Minority Issues Research Award
The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals in aging and public health research who have made a significant impact on the lives of older people who are members of minority groups. Minimizing health disparities and improving access to health and long-term care services are important issues for minority populations in the U.S.
Aging Public Health- Rural and Environment Research Award
The purpose of the award is to recognize individuals in public health research who have made a significant difference to understanding the impact that rural location and/or environment have on aging and public health. Research can focus on rural issues and environment issues separately or jointly on both areas.
James G. Zimmer New Investigator Research Award
This award is given to new investigators in recognition of past excellence and promise of future excellence in research. A “new investigator” is defined as someone who is within five years of completion of his or her terminal degree. The award is intended to recognize and further the careers of future leaders in research.
Laurence G. Branch Doctoral Student Research Award and the Masters Student Research Award
These two awards honor outstanding students for exceptional research during their training. Individuals honored by these awards have completed a research project as a student. Research projects are completed in the areas of gerontology, aging, chronic illness and disability in adults, long-term care, or geriatrics.