Public Recognition

A. MAADAC – Massachusetts Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors

• Counselor of the Year
• Robert Logue Memorial Presidents Award
• Outstanding Service Award
• Special Recognition
• The President’s Award - This award is given annually to an individual for years of service behind the scenes as well as exceptional direct counseling services in the treatment of substance abuse.

B. Association for Behavioral Healthcare

Provider Recognition Awards (for Individuals and Groups): The recipient(s) must show evidence of a personal commitment to quality and innovation in their work performance and carry out that commitment in a manner deserving of special recognition. Ceremonies are held in October. Nomination forms specific to each year are made available on the ABH homepage earlier.

In 2021 awards were given for Leadership (Outstanding Leadership; Rising Leader) and  Excellence (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice; Service Transformation; Advocacy and Engagement; Human Resources and Employee Relations; Care Integration; Youth Engagement and Support).  Examples of Provider Recognition award categories in previous years include:

• Excellence in Outcomes:  Integration, utilization, and management of client outcomes for quality improvement. 
• Excellence in Best Practices:  Planning, implementation, and on-going integration of best practices.
• Excellence in Program Leadership:  Program director/staff who exemplify outstanding leadership qualities.
• Excellence in Administration and Finance:  Exceptional management of program/agency/corporate finances and/or operations.
• Excellence in Care Integration: Promoting the integration of Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder and Primary Care to improve the health and care experience for individuals served
• Excellence in Innovative Practice: Planning and incorporation of   creative and original behavioral health practices
• Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice: Integration and prioritization of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice efforts in behavioral health 
• Excellence in (___________): write in option 

C. Provider’s Council (Mass Council of Human Service Workers)

All recipients are nominated by Providers' Council members for the awards. Nominee must be a member.

• Richard J. Bond Award - to an executive and a supervisory employee for their outstanding contributions to serving those in need.
• Gerry Wright Direct Service Employee Award - to a direct service employee to fully recognize outstanding dedication.
• Volunteer of the Year Award - to a person for exemplary volunteerism within a private provider agency.
• Ruth M. Batson Advocate of the Year Award - given to an individual advocate for his/her conviction, devotion and tenacity in fighting for necessary resources.
• Innovator of the Year Award - to an organization that has launched an innovative program this past year.
• State Employee of the Year Award - to a state employee who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the private provider industry.
• Legislator of the Year Award - to a state representative and a state senator for outstanding contributions to the industry.
• Municipal Official of the Year Award - to a municipal official for outstanding contributions to the industry.
• Business Partnership Award - to a business industry vendor who has done the most to promote or better the industry.
• Media Award - for accurate reporting of an industry issue which has positively contributed to the public’s understanding of human services.

D.  The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Bureau of Substance Addiction Services sometimes recognizes individuals at various conferences on specific topics, such as recovery, innovation and aging.

E. The Doris Gagne Addictions Nursing Award recognizes a nurse or other healthcare provider who demonstrates outstanding leadership in the field of addictions.  Nominations due by the end of June.

A. NAADAC

Recognition and Awards sponsored by the Association of Addiction Professionals (nominations due by end of June).

• NAADAC 50th Anniversary Legend Award - In honor of NAADAC’s 50th Anniversary, a legend in the field who has made significant contributions to NAADAC and to the addiction profession will be honored. The NAADAC 50th Anniversary Legend Award is presented to a recognized leader and innovator in the field of addiction.
• Mel Schulstad Professional of the Year - an individual who has made outstanding and sustained contributions to the advancement of the addiction counseling profession.
• William F. "Bill" Callahan Award - sustained and meritorious service at the national level to the profession of addiction counseling
• Lora Roe Memorial Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor of the Year - a counselor who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession of addiction counseling. Members of NAADAC's Executive Committee are not eligible for these awards
• NAADAC Organizational Achievement Award - organizations that have demonstrated a strong commitment to the addiction profession and particularly strong support for the individual addiction professional. Is this the same as the "Organization of the Year" by the National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)?
• Davida Coady Gorham Medical Professional of the Year - a medical professional who has made an outstanding contribution to the addiction profession. Members of NAADAC's Executive Committee are not eligible for this award.
• Enlightenment Award (formerly Lifetime Honorary Membership Award) - an individual or entity who has established outstanding service through a lifetime of consistent contributions to the advancement of NAADAC, the addiction profession and its professionals.
• John Avery Staff Award - the [NAADC] staff member who has consistently excelled in his or her position; has made outstanding contributions in the area of service and dedication to NAADAC; has promoted teamwork and collaboration; and who has consistently done so with a positive and forward-thinking attitude.

B. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing

• Awards of Excellence  
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: This award is in recognition of an individual whose tireless efforts, far-reaching impact and commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable Americans living with mental health and substance use challenges is unmatched.
  • Peer Specialist of the Year Award: This award is in recognition of an individual with lived experience who works in a health care organization and uses his or her strengths to help peers on their road to recovery from mental illness.
  • Behavioral Health Leadership Award: This award is in recognition of a mental health or substance use treatment provider or organization that is saving lives, helping communities thrive and paving the way for progress through innovation.
• Advocacy Leadership Awards
  • Award for Individual Achievement in Advocacy – In honor of an individual who has demonstrated exemplary efforts and results in advocating for legislative or regulatory policies that increase access to mental health and substance use services.
  • Award for Organizational Achievement in Advocacy – In honor of an organization that has demonstrated exemplary efforts and results in advocating for legislative or regulatory policies that increase access to mental health and substance use services.
  • Award for Public Service in Advocacy – In honor of a state or local elected official who has demonstrated exemplary efforts and results in promoting behavioral health policies that increase access to mental health and substance use services.
• Other Awards have included
  • Legislator of the Year
  • Innovation at Work
  • Excellence in Behavioral Healthcare Management
  • Excellence in Health Information Technology
  • Excellence in Addictions Treatment Innovation
  • Mental Health First Aid Community Impact
  • Speak up, Speak out
  • Visionary Leadership

C. NASADAD – National Association of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse Directors and CSAP

Awards vary. Past awards include: Ramstad/Kennedy Award for Outstanding Leadership in Support of Recovery; NASADAD Service Award; State Service Award; Henrick J. Harwood & Robert E. Anderson Service Award in Recognition of Distinguished Service in the Field of Addiction Research, Training and Evaluation; Friends of NASADAD; President's Award; National Exemplary Awards for Innovative Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Practices, and Policies.

D. American Association of Addiction Psychiatry – Various awards, such as Medical and Residency Education,  Early Career Awards

E. Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America - Awards vary. Examples of awards include:

• Got Outcomes: Coalition of the Year, Milestones, Coalition in Focus
• Distinguished Service Award
• National Leadership Award
• Congressional Award
• National Newsmaker Award
• Advocate of the Year Awards
• Dose of Prevention Award
• Outstanding Youth Award
• Outstanding State Member Award
• Outstanding State National Guard DDR Program
• Chairman’s Award: Outstanding National Coalition Academy Graduate
• Outstanding National Coalition Academy Instructor Award

F. Annapolis Coalition - National Behavioral Health Pacesetter and Innovation Awards

G. The College on Problems of Drug Dependence

• Nathan B. Eddy Award
• Marian W. Fischman Memorial
• Mentorship
• Joseph Cochin Young Investigator
• J. Michael Morrison Award
• Media
• Distinguished Service Award

H. National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers at its annual conference.

• Dr. Jasper Chen See Volunteer Leadership Award: Recognizes individuals who have provided exceptional volunteer leadership in the area of addiction treatment through board membership and philanthropy.
• Dr. James West Quality Improvement Award: The recipient will have an opportunity to present their submission to the annual leadership conference and will also be featured in an issue of Behavioral Healthcare.
• Michael Ford Journalism Award: Recognizes the journalistic efforts, both electronic and print, that promote the value of and need for addiction treatment.
• Nelson Bradley Career Achievement Award: Recognizes the life long achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to modern addiction treatment.
• Dr. Peter Hayden Diversity, Inclusivity, and Racial Equity Award: Recognizes champions of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the addiction treatment and recovery field.
• Administrator of the Year - presented by the American College of Addiction Treatment Administrators.

I. Faces and Voices of Recovery

The Joel Hernandez Award recognizes one local, state or regional recovery community organization for its success in assessing the specific needs of their community and carrying out a vision and mission of mobilizing resources within and outside the recovery community to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs.

The Vernon Johnson Award (formerly known as The America Honors Recovery award) recognizes people who are in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol or other drugs and their allies who have given back to their communities so that future generations can experience the reality of recovery.

The Lisa Mojer-Torres Award recognizes leadership and dedication to improving the quality of care that individuals and families suffering from addiction are able to access.

J. American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)

• Public Policy Award
• Media Award
• The John P. McGovern Award and Lecture on Addiction and Society
• The R. Brinkley Smithers Distinguished Scientist Award and Lecture
• ASAM Medical-Scientific Program Committee AwardYoung Investigator Award
• Annual Awards Recipient

Addiction Professional Magazine and National Council on Addiction Disorders: Outstanding Clinicians, Father Joseph C. Martin Professional Excellence, and Behavioral Healthcare Champion Awards

Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education - Excellence Award: Athletics, Recreation, Counseling, Health, Wellness, and Related Area includes alcohol and drug related work.