ARP Awards

The Addie Thomas Service Award is presented to an ARP member in honor of our Association's first president and recognizes individuals who have been an active volunteer involved with local, regional/state, national, and/or international arthritis-related activities.

Eligibility: ARP members in good standing.

Award Terms and Funding: A one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award with complimentary registration to ACR Convergence.

The Ann Kunkel Award is presented to an ARP member who has provided extraordinary service to advocate for patients with arthritis and rheumatic diseases or for health professionals in rheumatology.

Eligibility: ARP members in good standing.

Award Terms and Funding: A one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award with complimentary registration to ACR Convergence.

The ARP Distinguished Scholar Award is presented to an ARP member who demonstrates exceptional achievements in scholarly activities pertinent to arthritis and rheumatic diseases.

Eligibility: ARP members in good standing.

Award Terms and Funding: A one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award with complimentary registration to ACR Convergence.

The ARP Distinguished Clinician Award is presented to an ARP member who is engaged in clinical practice and demonstrates outstanding clinical expertise in arthritis and the rheumatic diseases.

Eligibility: ARP members in good standing.

Award Terms and Funding: A one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award with complimentary registration to ACR Convergence.

The Distinguished Educator Award is presented to an ARP member who has demonstrated sustained excellence in the teaching of patients and students/trainees, including health professional students, medical students, residents, graduate students, and/or fellows, with their primary focus being rheumatology related content.

Eligibility: ARP members in good standing.

Award Terms and Funding: A one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award with complimentary registration to ACR Convergence.

The Distinguished International Rheumatology Professional Award is awarded to a rheumatologist or rheumatology health professional outside of the US and Canada for exceptional contributions in public service and advocacy to the global rheumatology community.

Eligibility: All ACR/ARP international members in good standing are eligible. International ACR Masters are ineligible.

Award Terms and Funding: A one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award.

The Excellence in Investigative Mentoring Award recognizes the importance of the mentor/mentee relationship. This award honors an active ACR or ARP member for their contributions to the rheumatology profession through outstanding and ongoing mentoring. Funding support for this award of distinction is provided by the Rheumatology Research Foundation.

Eligibility: ACR or ARP members in good standing may nominate an individual who has mentored them. Nominees must be current ACR or ARP members in good standing with demonstrated commitment to mentoring throughout their career. A mentor possessing a combination of research and clinical focus would be preferred, but such a combination is not required. Self-nomination is not permitted. Foundation committee members involved in award recipient selection are not eligible to nominate candidates or be nominated by someone else.

Award Terms and Funding: A one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $3,000 cash award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a current or former member of ARP whose career has demonstrated a sustained and lasting contribution to the field of rheumatology and rheumatology health professionals.

Eligibility:Candidates for the Lifetime Achievement Award shall have been members of ARP, formerly the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ARHP), or ACR for at least ten consecutive years.

Award Terms and Funding: A one-time, merit-based award and the recipient will receive a $5,500 cash award with complimentary registration to ACR Convergence.

The ARP Master Award is one of the highest honors the College bestows. This award is presented to ARP members who have made outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through service to the ACR/ARP and advancements in research, practice, education, and/or advocacy.

Eligibility: The designation of ARP Master is conferred on ARP members age 65 years or older by October 1 of the year in which they are nominated who have made outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology through service to the ACR/ARP; and advancements in research, practice, education, and/or advocacy. ARP members in good standing with a minimum of ten consecutive years of membership who meet the age requirements are eligible.

Award Terms and Funding: An ARP Master is not required to pay annual fees, dues, or assessments and has the privilege of attending the annual meeting without payment of registration fees.

The ARP Outstanding Student in Rheumatology Award seeks to recognize students advancing rheumatology in one or more of the following areas: education, practice, research, and/or advocacy.

Eligibility: Non-physician health professional students who have not yet achieved the highest academic degree in a given field of study.

Award Terms and Funding: A one-time, merit-based award of $500 and recognition at ACR Convergence, and standard student member benefits.

The ARP President's Award is awarded to the ACR/ARP member or team performing outstanding service within the present year in advancing the goals, ideals, and standards of ARP.

Eligibility: ACR/ARP members in good standing.

Award Terms and Funding: Recipients receive recognition at ACR Convergence.