Purpose

The Disaster Medical Sciences Award recognizes ACEP members who have made outstanding contributions of national/international significance or impact to the field of disaster medicine.

2024 Award Recipient

Eric Goralnick, MD, FACEP

Award

The award features a crystalline sphere held up by two hands. The recipient’s name will be inscribed on a master plaque at ACEP Headquarters. The recipient will also be recognized on ACEP’s Website and included in other ACEP communications as part of the annual award recognition process.

Eligibility

Any member of the College may nominate a member that has made an outstanding contribution to the field of disaster medicine of national or international significance. This includes outstanding contributions to the development, promotion, maturation, education, or humanitarian mission of disaster medicine on a state, national, or international level. The award may be given posthumously.

Criteria

The Disaster Preparedness & Response Committee will evaluate all nominations submitted by the deadline. Activities that are appropriate for evaluating nominees include but are not limited to:

• Research and publications
• Service to organizations that support disaster medicine
• Humanitarian activities, including providing medical care in disasters
• Leadership activities
• Teaching
• Advocacy/legislative efforts

Nominees need not demonstrate achievements in all categories to be selected.

Past Recipients

2013    Thomas D. Kirsch, MD, MPH, FACEP
2014    Frederick (Skip) Burkle, Jr., MD, FACEP
           Joseph F. Waeckerle, MD, FACEP
2015    Carl H. Schultz, MD, FACEP
2016    Andrew I. Bern, MD, FACEP
2017    Kristi L. Koenig, MD, FACEP
2018    Gregory R. Ciottone, MD, FACEP, FFSEM
2019    Richard C. Hunt, MD, FACEP
2020    Irving “Jake” Jacoby, MD, FACEP
2021    Joseph A. Barbera, MD
2022    Roy L. Alson, MD, PhD, FACEP
2023    Mark S. Rosenthal, DO, PhD, FACEP
2024    Eric Goralnick, MD, FACEP

Entry Procedures and Selection Process

Any member who wishes to nominate a candidate should complete a nomination form. Submit the nomination form, nominee’s curriculum vitae, and up to three letters of support to the staff liaison through the online form located on the ACEP website. Letters of support are greatly encouraged and are at the discretion of the nominator. Additionally, a nominee should have only one nomination from a chapter, entity (such as a committee or section), or individual. All entries must be submitted no later than March 17, 2025 for consideration. Receipt of each nomination will be confirmed by email.

Judging

The Disaster Preparedness & Response Committee will judge the entries, with its recommendations subject to review by the ACEP Board of Directors. The decision of the Board is final, and the Board reserves the right to make no award if there are no nominees of sufficient merit. The Board may also decide to grant the award to more than one individual.