PURPOSE OF THE AWARD

The American Association for Health Education (AAHE) is committed to its mission to recognize outstanding contributions from practitioners in the various health education settings. The AAHE HEPY Award is given annually for up to six (6) individuals, representing one Award for each of the following categories:

CATEGORIES OF AWARDS

1. Health Education Professional of the Year Award: Agency/Public/Community
2. Health Education Professional of the Year Award: Business/Industry/Workplace
3. Health Education Professional of the Year Award: Clinical/Medical Care/Patient
4. Health Education Professional of the Year Award: College/University
5. Health Education Professional of the Year Award: School (K-12)
6. Health Education Professional of the Year Award: Health Education Administration

QUALIFICATION OF CANDIDATES

1. Previous recipients of awards may not be nominated to receive the same award; however, a person may be nominated to receive any of the other category awards.
2. Deceased persons are not eligible for nomination or receipt of the awards.
3. Members of the AAHE Awards Committee and of the AAHE Board of Directors and their families are not eligible for nomination while they are serving in said roles. Committee members are not allowed to resign from the Committee in order to be considered for an award.
4. Candidates must have five (5) years of experience in the category where they are applying.
5. A candidate does not have to be a member of AAHE or AAHPERD.
6. Preference shall be given to those nominees who are practitioners.
7. Candidates not selected may be re-nominated through the formal process after a one (1) year hiatus, i.e., one (1) full year must pass between the two formal nominations. Each candidate must demonstrate specific contributions in the following criteria:
   
   
   1. Leadership in developing and implementing or directing/coordinating effective health education/ promotion programs.
   2. Volunteer service to local, state, district or national level organizations or at the school or community levels.
   3. Service to local, state or national professional organizations.
   4. Evidence of meritorious professional activity in at least three (3) of the following: innovative teaching, publications, presentations, funded research or programs, special projects, or other health related activities.

GUIDELINES FOR NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES

1. District Vice-Presidents for Health (or a designee) will submit one original copy of the complete AAHE HEPY application packet. It includes brief biographical material, and three (3) letters of recommendation (including a letter(s) written by someone in a position to evaluate the candidate's qualifications as they relate to the criteria). AAHE Awards Committee members are not to be solicited for letters of recommendation. Send to: AAHE HEPY Awards, American Association for Health Education, 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1599, by December 1st.
2. National award winners will be selected from the District candidates by the AAHE Awards Committee prior to the AAHE/AAHPERD national convention. The awards are presented at the AAHE luncheon. No compensation will be provided for the recipients to attend the AAHE/ AAHPERD national convention.
3. Attach only one (1) double–spaced sheet in evidence of each criteria. This write–up should follow the brief biographical section.
   

APPLICATION PACKET CHECKLIST

• Application Form with Biographical Information
• Contributions to Field Criteria (One double-spaced sheet for each)
• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• District Endorsement
• Cover Sheet
• Short Bio