Distinguished Awards
Every year at The Liver Meeting we recognize deserving colleagues for their accomplishments and contributions to the liver community. To learn more about the awards, nominations process, and past recipients review the information below. We look forward to receiving your nomination!
Award Categories
Distinguished Achievement Award
The Distinguished Achievement Award is given to an individual in honor of his or her sustained 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.
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.
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual in honor of his or her sustained service to AASLD or the liver disease community in general. The award recognizes service provided to the community of hepatology researchers and clinicians over an extended period; service that is well above and beyond that provided by many members who serve on the Governing Board and Committees of AASLD.
Distinguished Advocacy Service Award
The AASLD Distinguished Advocacy Service 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.
Past Awardees
Distinguished Achievement Award
The Distinguished Achievement Award is given to an individual in honor of his or her sustained 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.
2023 Award Recipient
Florence Wong, MD, FAASLD
Dr. Wong gained her medical degree of MBBS from the University of Melbourne, Australia, where she also completed her GI training. She received her doctorate degree (the equivalent of a PhD) from Monash University, Australia, then left for Canada to undertake further training in ascites research under the mentorship of Dr. Laurence Blendis. She worked through the academic ladder, progressing through the ranks of Assistant, Associate, and then Full Professor at the University of Toronto, while at the same time focusing her research on renal dysfunction in decompensated cirrhosis, ultimately concentrating on understanding the pathophysiology of hepatorenal syndrome. She has been involved in the International Ascites Club, the North American Consortium for the Study of End-stage Liver Disease, and the ACLF SIG of AASLD. She received the Gold Medal for excellence in liver research from the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver.
Past Distinguished Achievement Award Recipients
- 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
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.
2023 Award Recipient
Elizabeth Rand, MD
Dr. Rand was an undergraduate and medical student at the University of Chicago where she returned for a GI fellowship after a Pediatric Residency at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She joined the faculty at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 1993 as a researcher, clinician, and educator. She served as the GI fellowship program director from 2000-2021 and continues as the program director of the advanced hepatology fellowship. She has presented at national meetings, single-topic conferences, and the PG course, participated in multiple committees, and served as associate editor of the CLD. She has greatly benefited from mentors at every stage of her career; particularly Dr. Peter Whitington who is a luminary in Pediatric Hepatology. Her endeavors have been supported by her husband Spencer Rand and her children Eleanor and Isaac. Teaching patients, families, & trainees has always been a pleasure for her and she hopes that she has illuminated their understanding as so many have done for her.
Past Distinguished Clinician Educator/Mentor Award Recipients
- 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
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual in honor of his or her sustained service to AASLD or the liver disease community in general. The award recognizes service provided to the community of hepatology researchers and clinicians over an extended period; service that is well above and beyond that provided by many members who serve on the Governing Board and Committees of AASLD.
2023 Award Recipient
Jorge Rakela, MD, FAASLD
Dr. Rakela is a Professor of Medicine at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine and an Emeritus Consultant with the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Mayo Clinic, Arizona. He trained in Hepatology at the University of Southern California Medical Center and served on their faculty. He later held academic positions at Mayo Clinic Rochester and the University of Pittsburgh. While in Arizona, Dr. Rakela chaired the Department of Internal Medicine. He has served and chaired in numerous committees of the AASLD and was Co-Editor of Liver Transplantation. He has authored 315 publications and served in multiple editorial boards. His research has garnered support from the NIH, industry, and private foundations. Currently, his research focus is on the genomics of acute hepatic failure in collaboration with investigators of the ALFSG and the FDA’s Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research.
Past Distinguished Service Award Recipients
- 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
Distinguished Advocacy Service Award
The Distinguished Advocacy Service 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 or garners public and federal legislative support and promotes liver health and quality patient care.
2023 Award Recipient
Samuel So, MD
Dr. Samuel So is a graduate of the University of Hong Kong Medical School and Lui Hac Minh Professor and Professor of Surgery at Stanford University. He founded the Stanford Asian Liver Center in 1996 to eliminate hepatitis B and reduce the burden of liver cancer worldwide by addressing the gaps in awareness, research, and health policy. To raise HBV awareness, he launched the jade ribbon campaign in 2000, co-founded San Francisco Hep B Free, and inspired youths to form Team HBV high school and collegiate chapters. His advocacy to address viral hepatitis in the U.S. resulted in the 2010 IOM report on hepatitis and liver cancer that formed the framework of the first Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan. He was the architect and subject matter expert for the recent legislation that led California to become the first state in the country to mandate primary care providers to offer HBV and HCV screening and treatment according to the AASLD guidelines. Dr. So was recognized by the White House in 2014 for national leadership in the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis and was the recipient of the CDC/ATSDR 2010 Honor Award for mobilizing people and resources in ways that have changed global public health policies related to hepatitis B.
Past Distinguished Advocacy Service Award Recipients
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Distinguished Awards
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 Service Award
Who selects those receiving a Distinguished Award?
AASLD’s 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.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes! The Governing Board 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 nomination (self-nominations are allowed), go to: https://bit.ly/AASLDAwards
Who do I contact if I have questions about the nominations process?
Contact Andrea Giovannucci, AASLD Director of Engagement at agiovannucci@aasld.org or call her at 703-740-2223.
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 the 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 board looks for in a nominee?
Actually, just the opposite in that consistent with AASLD’s recognition that the study of liver disease encompasses health care professionals from many backgrounds we encourage a pool of 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?
Yes. Given the high honor of these awards, individuals being recognized will receive:
- Recognition at the Annual Awards Ceremony during The Liver Meeting in Boston.
- Recognition on the AASLD website and media announcements
- Honorarium of $1,500
- Complimentary registration to the Liver Meeting in 2023
- Two nights hotel accommodation at The Liver Meeting in 2023
- Economy round-trip airfare to The Liver Meeting in 2023