Recognizing leaders who have made significant and lasting contributions to the field of health services research (HSR). The 2024 nomination period is now closed.
The Reinhardt Distinguished Award is AcademyHealth’s highest career award, recognizing leaders who have made significant and lasting contributions to the field of health services research (HSR). Previously known as either the Distinguished Career or Distinguished Investigator Award, the Award was renamed in 2023 to honor, Professor Uwe Reinhardt, a seminal figure in the field who established high standards in moving evidence into action and translating evidence to serve the public interest.
Awardees have impacted the field through advancement of science and methods, leadership, mentorship, scholarship and teaching, and/or the application of health services and policy evidence to improve health and health care. Recipients are established leaders in the field, and may reflect expertise and impact across multiple sectors (e.g. academic, government, delivery systems, industry), and disciplines. They may be based in the U.S. or elsewhere internationally. The award will be presented at the Annual Research Meeting and the winner will receive one complimentary registration and lodging for one night at the conference.
Nomination Timeline
The nomination period is now closed. Notifications will be sent out in late April.
Eligibility and Nomination Criteria
Nominees must have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to the field as would be expected from a career or ‘capstone’ award. Careers spanning 25 or more years will be typical.
Nominees from minority-serving institutions and individuals from minoritized and historically excluded groups are encouraged.
Self-nominations are accepted.
Nominations (whether self-nominated or not) must include two letters of nomination:
Letter reflecting on the contributions of the nominee, including a description of the nominee's specific contributions to health services research (described in sufficient detail to distinguish these from generic activities). Nominators should describe the corresponding significance and/or impact of these contributions, especially as they relate to Distinguished Achievement and Review Criteria.
Letter from at least one mentee, current or past, outlining service as a mentor and how the nominee has trained emerging leaders.
Letters can be cosigned by multiple individuals.
Nominations must include a curriculum vitae.
Nominees and nominators must be individual members of AcademyHealth.
Distinguished Achievement may include activities such as (1) Demonstrable impact on the field, health policy and/or health care based on evidence; (2) Contributions of lasting value, (3) Leadership role(s), (4) Development of new ideas, frameworks, techniques, methodologies or technologies, (5) Outstanding service to multiple organizations serving the field, and (6) Training and mentoring the next generation of leaders.
Review Criteria
Unique and lasting contributions to the health services research (HSR) with a specific focus on how the nominee’s work has advanced the science of HSR by developing or deploying new ideas, frameworks, analytic techniques, methodologies, or technologies.
Mentoring and training emerging and diverse leaders.
The demonstrable impact of the nominee’s work with a focus on how the research/analysis has changed policy or practice and how it has been applied to improve health and health care delivery, including those focused on minoritized and historically excluded individuals and communities.
Leadership in the field that has advanced improvements in health and health care delivery. Such leadership should be demonstrated both within and beyond the nominee’s home institution.
