2026 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 2026 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.

  • 2025: Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, FAASLD
  • 2024: George K. Michalopoulos, MD, PhD, FAASLD
  • 2023: Florence Wong, MD, 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
  • 2004: D. Montgomery Bissell, MD
  • 2003: Nicholas F. LaRusso, MD
  • 2002: Roberto Groszmann, MD
  • 2001: Jay H. Hoofnagle, MD
  • 2000: Robert H. Purcell, MD
  • 1999: Francis V. Chisari, MD
  • 1998: James L. Boyer, MD
  • 1997: Alan F. Hofmann, MD
  • 1996: Irmin Sternlieb, MD
  • 1995: Telfer B. Teynolds, MD
  • 1994: Irwin M. Arias, MD
  • 1993: Stanley E. Bradley, MD and Carl A. Goresky, MD
  • 1992: *
  • 1991: Thomas E. Starzl, MD
  • 1990: Rudi Schmid, MD
  • 1989: Aron Rappaport, MD
  • 1987-1988: *
  • 1986: Hyman J. Zimmerman, MD

*No awardee

2026 Award Recipient

Pere Ginès, MD, FAASLD

Pere Ginès, MD, FAASLD was Chair of the Liver Unit of Hospital Clinic of Barcelona for 15 years and is currently Senior Consultant and Full Professor of Medicine at the University of Barcelona. His main areas of interest are cirrhosis, biomarkers of liver diseases, and screening of liver fibrosis. He coordinates various international research projects on liver diseases, funded by the European Commission. He was Deputy Editor of the Journal of Hepatology from 2001 to 2005. He has more than 500 publications in PubMed and H-index of 132. He has received several national and international awards and is an international opinion leader on liver diseases, especially cirrhosis of the liver.

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.

  • 2025: Lewis R. Roberts, MB, ChB, PhD, FAASLD
  • 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

2026 Award Recipient

Tamar Taddei, MD, FAASLD

Tamar Taddei, MD, FAASLD, is Professor of Medicine and Vice Chief (Digestive Diseases) at Yale School of Medicine and Chief of Digestive Diseases at the VA Connecticut Health Care System. She serves the VA National GI and Hepatology Program as Chair of the HCC Subcommittee of the VA Hepatology Field Advisory Board. Her clinical interests focus on developing systems and programs to deliver outstanding multidisciplinary care to people with liver cancer. Her research focuses on studying outcomes in cirrhosis and liver cancer in Veterans and developing and conducting large-scale VA clinical trials. Passionate about mentoring and sponsoring the next generation, Dr. Taddei has been recognized for her dedication to the career advancement of trainees and junior faculty. Her prior service to AASLD includes serving as Treasurer, Chair of the Public Policy Committee, and member of the Nominating, Membership, and Education Committees.

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. 

  • 2025: Robert J. Fontana, MD, FAASLD  
  • 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

2026 Award Recipient

Frank Anania, MD, FAASLD

Frank Anania, MD, FAASLD, is Director of the Division of Hepatology and Nutrition (DHN) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He joined FDA in 2018 and was Deputy Director of DHN for several years prior to being appointed Director. Before working at FDA, Anania was a physician-scientist at Emory University and rose to become the R. Bruce Logue Director of the Division of Digestive Diseases. Anania has served on numerous national committees for the AASLD, AGA, and NIH. During his basic research career, he made seminal contributions to the field of hepatology specifically related to fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis.

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.

  • 2025: David B. Ross, MD, PhD, MBI and Timothy R. Morgan, MD, FAASLD
  • 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

Ricky Safer

Ricky Safer founded PSC Partners Seeking a Cure in 2005 following her diagnosis with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). A former French educator with degrees from the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins, she has served as volunteer CEO for 20 years, leading efforts to advance PSC research, education, and patient support. Under her leadership, PSC Partners has become a driving force in patient-centered research and advocacy, establishing an international patient registry, leading an FDA Externally-Led Patient-Focused Drug Development meeting, securing major Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grants, and helping obtain a PSC-specific ICD code. The organization also launched key initiatives including WIND-PSC, the Symptom Assessment Project, and the International Collaborative Research Network. To date, PSC Partners has funded more than $5 million in research grants, and Ricky has served on numerous national advisory and research committees focused on liver and rare diseases.

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®
  • Recognition on the AASLD website and media announcements
  • Honorarium of $1,500
  • Complimentary registration to The Liver Meeting®
  • Two nights hotel accommodation at The Liver Meeting®
  • Economy round-trip airfare to The Liver Meeting®