Awards

The American School Health Association (ASHA) aspires to LEAD, EDUCATE, and ACTIVATE multidisciplinary school health professionals and other champions as they work in their communities across the country to implement our mission to transform all schools into places where every student learns and thrives.

The American School Health Association (ASHA) is thrilled to announce our call for nominations for the 2024 ASHA Awards! These awards recognize the incredible individuals and groups who are making a difference in the lives of students and creating healthier school communities.

Do you know someone who:

  • Demonstrates ethical practice and embodies ASHA's core beliefs?
  • Shows outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to school health?
  • Brings a unique perspective and lived experience to their work?

If so, we encourage you to nominate them for an ASHA Award! At our core is a belief that the involvement of individuals with diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and professional lenses creates a stronger, healthier school community. We welcome nominations from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Nominating is easy! Simply submit your nomination form by April 1st, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST. Let's celebrate the amazing work happening in school health! We look forward to receiving your nominations.

Submit a Nomination
 

All award nominations will be reviewed by the members of ASHA’s Leadership and Recognition Committee and approved by the ASHA Board of Directors. Documentation of highly ranked nominees is reviewed by the Leadership and Recognition Committee for up to three years. 

Awards

William A. Howe Award
The William A. Howe Award, ASHA’s highest honor, recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions and distinguished service in school health. It was established to honor William A. Howe, MD, a founder and first president of the association. Only one person will receive the William A. Howe Award each year and the award shall not be limited to members of ASHA and is bestowed based on significant evidence of a life-long commitment of transforming schools to a place where all students learn and thrive.

Past Howe Award Recipients
Distinguished Service Award
Distinguished Service Award is granted to an active or retired member of the American School Health Association (ASHA) who has attained Fellow Status. The award is based on evidence of long-term service to the field of the school health as well as substantive and consistent service to ASHA.

Past Distinguished Service Award Recipients
School Health Professional of the Year Award
Open to anyone involved in delivering the components of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child model in the K-12 setting (such as classroom teachers, school counselors, bus drivers, school nurses, social workers, etc.), this award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated sustained, outstanding contributions to school health education, advocacy, and/or research.


Past School Health Professional of the Year Award Recipients
Dr. Robert Synovitz Emerging Professional Award
The Dr. Robert Synovitz Emerging Professional Award is open to early career ASHA members. This award acknowledges new professionals as promising future leaders in the field of school health..

Past Emerging Professional Award Recipients
ASHA Fellow Award
Advancement to Fellowship Status is granted to individuals who are currently active members of ASHA and who have been an active member of the American School Health Association for at least ten years. It is based on evidence of leadership and service to the American School Health Association and to the field of school health.
Past ASHA Fellow Award Recipients
Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) Award
The WSCC Award is provided to a setting, organization, or interest group, either in the school or community, that has applied the philosophy associated with the WSCC model, specifically in the alignment, integration and collaboration between education and health.

Past WSCC Award Recipients

2019 WSCC Award Recipient Video
School Health Hero Award
Presented by ASHA’s Leadership and Recognition Committee, the School Health Hero Award recognizes an individual (e.g., professional, student, legislator, parent, researcher, etc.) or group (e.g., school health team, corporation, etc) who has demonstrated support of issues related to school health, taken an important stand on school health issues, and/or shown an act of heroism in support of student health and well-being.

Submit a nomination here.

2021 School Health Hero Award Recipient Video

Past School Health Hero Award Recipients

Past Awards

Outstanding School Health Researcher Award
*Researchers are now acknowledged through the School Health Professional of the Year Award* The purpose of Outstanding School Health Researcher Award is to recognize an ASHA member who has demonstrated sustained and outstanding contributions to school health research.

Past Outstanding School Health Researcher Award Recipients
Legislator of the Year Award
*Legislators are now acknowledged through the School Health Professional of the Year Award* Presented by ASHA’s Advocacy Committee, the Legislator of the Year Award recognized a state or federal legislator who had a record of supporting issues related to school health and/or took an important stand on school health issues during a particular legislative session.

Past Legislator Award Recipients
 

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

ASHA advocates for effective school health strategies that contribute to optimal health and academic outcomes for all children and youth. Support the ASHA Mission, Vision, Goals and Core Beliefs by contributing.