2025 Distinguished Awardees

Every year at The Liver Meeting®, AASLD recognizes deserving colleagues for their accomplishments and contributions to the liver community through our Distinguished Awards. These are AASLD’s most prestigious awards. 

Congratulations to the 2025 Distinguished Award Recipients!

Distinguished Achievement Award

The Distinguished Achievement Award is given to an individual in honor of his or her scientific contributions to the field of liver disease and the scientific foundations of hepatology. The award honors a sustained contribution rather than a single discovery or major achievement.

  • 2024: George K. Michalopoulos, MD, Ph.D., FAASLD
  • 2023: Florence Wong, MD, FAASLD
  • 2022: Gianfranco Alpini, PhD, FAASLD
  • 2021: Raymond F. Schinazi, PhD, FAASLD
  • 2020: Russell H. Wiesner, MD, FAASLD
  • 2019: Jordi Bruix, MD
  • 2018: Arun J. Sanyal, MD, FAASLD
  • 2017: Mei-Hwei Chang, MD, FAASLD
  • 2016: Scott L. Friedman, MD, FAASLD
  • 2015: Charles M. Rice, PhD
  • 2014: Jules L. Dienstag, MD
  • 2013: Roger Williams, CBE, MD, FRCP, FRCS, FMedSci
  • 2012: Anna Mae Diehl, MD
  • 2011: Harvey J. Alter, MD
  • 2010: Sum-Ping Lee, MD, PhD
  • 2009: Nelson Fausto, MD
  • 2008: Lawrie W. Powell, MD, PhD
  • 2007: Juan Rodes, MD
  • 2006: Neil Kaplowitz, MD
  • 2005: E Jenny Heathcote, MD

2025 Award Recipient

Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, FAASLD

Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD is the Mitchell T. Rabkin, M.D. Chair, Professor of Medicine and Faculty Dean at Harvard Medical School and Chief Academic Officer at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Beth Israel Lahey Health. Dr. Szabo’s research focuses on the role of inflammation and innate immune and molecular pathways to identify new therapeutic targets in liver diseases. Her group discovered that NLRP3 inflammasome and the IL-1ß pathway are potential therapeutic targets in alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) and MASLD leading to first-time clinical trials in AH. Her investigations pioneered understanding of micro-RNAs and extracellular vesicles in inter-cellular and inter-organ communication in liver diseases. She is member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and fellow of the AASLD, AGA, and ACP. Dr. Szabo has served as President of AASLD in 2015 and inaugural Editor-in-Chief of Hepatology Communications. She received the 2020 Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award from the American Liver Foundation.

Distinguished Clinician/Educator Mentor Award

The Distinguished Clinician/Educator Mentor Award is given in honor of the sustained service of clinician educators to AASLD or the liver community in general. The award recognizes the skills of outstanding clinicians and educators who have made momentous contributions to hepatology over an extended period.

  • 2024: Federico Villamil, MD, FAASLD
  • 2023: Elizabeth Rand, MD
  • 2022: Mauricio Lisker-Melman, MD, FAASLD
  • 2021: Keith D. Lindor, MD, FAASLD
  • 2020: Michael R. Lucey, MD, FAASLD
  • 2019: K. Rajender Reddy, MD, FAASLD
  • 2018: Patrick S. Kamath, MD
  • 2017: Brian J. McMahon, MD, FAASLD
  • 2016: T. Jake Liang, MD, FAASLD
  • 2015: Guadalupe Garcia-Tsao, MD, FAASLD
  • 2014: William M. Lee, MD
  • 2013: Arthur J. McCullough, MD
  • 2012: Nathan M. (Tony) Bass, MD
  • 2011: Ding-Shinn Chen, MD
  • 2010: Norman D. Grace, MD
  • 2009: Laurie Blendis, MD
  • 2008: Albert J. Czaja, MD

2025 Award Recipient

Lewis R. Roberts, MB, ChB, PhD, FAASLD

Dr. Lewis R. Roberts is the Peter and Frances Georgeson Professor in Gastroenterology Cancer Research and Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic, where he is Co-Principal Investigator of the Mayo Clinic Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Hepatobiliary Cancers. Dr. Roberts is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the African Academy of Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He serves on the Boards of Scientific Counselors of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. Roberts’ research focuses on molecular mechanisms of liver and biliary carcinogenesis, biomarkers for diagnosis of liver, bile duct and pancreas cancers, and prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hepatitis and liver cancer, with a particular interest in immigrant African communities in the USA as well as in Africa. He has authored over 500 articles, book chapters and letters, and co-edited the book “Evaluation and Management of Liver Masses.” He serves as President of Africa Partners Medical, a non-profit organization focused on improving healthcare delivery in Africa through medical education, practical skills training, provision of medical equipment and supplies, and health advocacy, as President of the West Africa Institute for Liver and Digestive Diseases Foundation, and as a member of the Advisory Council for The Hepatitis Fund. Dr. Roberts is a founding member of the Africa HepatoPancreatoBiliary Cancer Consortium.

Distinguished Service Award

The AASLD Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual in honor of his or her sustained service to AASLD and the field of hepatology. This award recognizes the lifelong commitment and significant contributions researchers, and career-long clinicians have made to the organization and the field. Service goes well above and beyond that provided by many members who serve on the Governing Board and Committees of the AASLD. 

  • 2024: Hugo E. Vargas, MD, FAASLD
  • 2023: Jorge Rakela, MD, FAASLD
  • 2022: Michael H Nathanson, MD, PhD, FAASLD
  • 2021: John M. Vierling, MD, FACP, FAASLD, AGAF
  • 2020: Donald M. Jensen, MD, FAASLD
  • 2019: Adrian Reuben, MBBS, FRCP, FACG, FAASLD
  • 2018: Adrian M. Di Bisceglie, MD, FACP, FAASLD
  • 2017: John R. Senior, MD, FAASLD
  • 2016: Gregory J. Gores, MD, FAASLD
  • 2015: Elizabeth M Brunt, MD, FAASLD
  • 2014: Sherrie H. Cathcart, CAE
  • 2013: Frederick J. Suchy, MD
  • 2012: Thomas D. Boyer, MD
  • 2011: Anna S. Lok, MD
  • 2010: Bruce R. Bacon, MD
  • 2009: Joseph R. Bloomer, MD
  • 2008: Andres T. Blei, MD
  • 2007: William F. Balistreri , MD
  • 2006: Allan W. Wolkoff , MD
  • 2005: Leonard B. Seeff , MD
  • 2004: Eugene R. Schiff, MD
  • 2003: Paul D. Berk, MD
  • 2002: Esteban Mezey, MD
  • 2001: Anthony S Tavill, MD
  • 2000: Willis C. Maddrey, MD
  • 1999: Michael F Sorrell, MD
  • 1998: Kamal G. Ishak, MD
  • 1997: Steven Schenker, MD
  • 1993: Sarah C. Kalser, PhD
  • 1991: Carroll M. Leevy, MD
  • 1990: Kunio Okuda, MD
  • 1989: Herbert Falk, MD
  • 1988: Dame Sheila Sherlock, MD, PhD
  • 1984: Burton Combes, MD
  • 1983: Hans Popper, MD
  • 1981: Leon Schiff, MD

2025 Award Recipient

Robert J. Fontana, MD, FAASLD

Robert J. Fontana, MD, FAASLD is an accomplished researcher, master clinician, and outstanding teacher and educator. He is an internationally recognized expert in acute and chronic liver failure with particular expertise in drug hepatotoxicity and liver transplantation. He has served the AASLD in numerous ways over the years including as director, moderator, and speaker at various scientific fora, annual meetings, the Postgraduate course, and single topic conferences. Dr. Fontana has served as chair of numerous SIG’s and Committees, as a Guideline author and editorial member of AASLD’s flagship journals, and as a developer and participant in numerous educational webinars, podcasts, and seminars. He has helped mentor many students, residents and fellows at the University of Michigan and other institutions over the years who have gone on to successful independent careers in hepatology.

Distinguished Advocacy Award

The AASLD Distinguished Advocacy Award is given to an advocacy organization or individual in honor of sustained service to the liver disease community in general. The award recognizes service provided to the hepatology community over an extended period that raises awareness and garners public and federal legislative support and promotes liver health and quality patient care.

  • 2024: Veronica Miller, PhD
  • 2023: Samuel So, MD
  • 2022: HoChong Gilles, DNP, FNP-BC
  • 2021: Global Liver Institute Founder: Donna R. Cryer, JD
  • 2020: Hepatitis B Foundation
    Founders: Timothy Block, PhD and Joan Block, RN

2025 Award Recipient

COMING SOON: The 2025 Distinguished Advocacy Award recipient will be unveiled closer to TLM. This recognition highlights the incredible work being done to champion liver health, and we can’t wait to spotlight our honoree's impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the AASLD Distinguished Awards?

Each year, AASLD acknowledges those whose achievements over a sustainable period of time, in the field of hepatology, are significant and warrant recognition.

The Distinguished Awards are comprised of:

  • Distinguished Achievement Award
  • Distinguished Clinician Educator/Mentor Award
  • Distinguished Service Award
  • Distinguished Advocacy Award

Who selects those receiving a Distinguished Award?

AASLD’s Distinguished Awards Committee reviews and selects the award winners with final approval from the Governing Board, the organization’s highest leadership body.

Who can submit a nomination? 

All members of AASLD are eligible and encouraged to submit a nomination. Members may also nominate qualified candidates who are not members of the association. 

Can I nominate myself?

Yes! AASLD encourages self-nominations. This allows us to learn about qualified candidates who may not have had the same widespread recognition as others.

How much time does it take to nominate someone (or myself)?

Because AASLD understands how busy members are, the nominations process is done online.

To learn more about each award, go to https://www.aasld.org/distinguished-awards

To submit a peer or self-nomination (self-nominations are allowed), go to:  https://aasldprograms.secure-platform.com/site

Who do I contact if I have questions about the nominations process?

Please email governance@aasld.org and our Governance Staff will assist you.

What do I have to provide when nominating someone for an award?

You are asked to provide basic demographic information, at least one letter of recommendation, and an abridged CV of the nominee. 

Are Distinguished Awards only given to those who have been active in AASLD for many years?

While involvement in AASLD will be considered, Distinguished Award winners need not be AASLD members. 

Are there any specific characteristics that the Distinguished Awards Committee and Governing Board looks for in a nominee?

A Consistent with AASLD’s recognition that the study of liver disease encompasses health care professionals from many backgrounds, we encourage a pool of talented nominees that reflect our richness as a community that includes individual and institutional diversity.

In addition to being presented with the award, is there anything else recipients receive?

 Given the high honor of our Distinguished Awards, individuals being recognized will receive:

  • Recognition at the Annual Awards Ceremony during The Liver Meeting® in San Diego
  • Recognition on the AASLD website and media announcements
  • Honorarium of $1,500
  • Complimentary registration to the Liver Meeting in 2024
  • Two nights hotel accommodation at The Liver Meeting in 2024
  • Economy round-trip airfare to The Liver Meeting in 2024.