NOW OPEN: 2026 AASLD Distinguished Award Nominations

Every year at The Liver Meeting® (TLM), AASLD recognizes the exceptional members of our community whose work has advanced hepatology. Through the Distinguished Awards, AASLD’s most prestigious honors, we celebrate outstanding scientific achievement, clinical excellence, and enduring contributions to the field.  

Peer and self-nominations are now open through Apr. 1.

Submit Your Nomination 

The award categories for 2026 include:

  • Distinguished Achievement Award
  • Distinguished Clinical/Mentor Award
  • Distinguished Service Award
  • Distinguished Advocacy Award

Learn more about the 2026 award categories and criteria

2026 Distinguished Award Categories

Learn more about the past Distinguished Award recipients.

View Past Awardees

Award recipients will be selected by the Distinguished Awards Committee, with approval from the AASLD Governing Board. 

Submit Your Nomination

To learn more about the Distinguished Awards process and guidelines, visit the FAQs below.  

View FAQs

2026 AASLD Distinguished Awards Timeline

  • March 2: Submission Site Opens 
  • April 1: Submission Site Closes 
  • April: Applicant Reviews 
  • May: Nominees and Awardees Contacted, Recipients Announced
  • November: Recognition at the TLM Awards and Honors Gala on Saturday, Nov. 7 in Denver, CO. 

For additional information about the Distinguished Awards nomination, criteria, and submission process, please contact governance@aasld.org.  

The submission site closes on Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT. 

As part of AASLD’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we invite peer or self-nominations for the 2026 Distinguished Awards from qualified candidates from underrepresented groups within the association and all aspects of hepatology continuum. 

 

Distinguished 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. 

Eligibility: The awardee need not be a member of the AASLD. Nominated and sitting members of the AASLD Governing Board and previous Distinguished Award recipients are not eligible to receive an award. 

Distinguished Clinician Educator/Mentor Award 

The AASLD Distinguished Clinician Educator/Mentor Award is given to an individual in honor of their sustained contributions to teaching and/or mentoring of trainees, researchers, clinicians, and/or APPs within the hepatology and AASLD communities.  

Eligibility: The awardee need not be a member of AASLD. Nominated and sitting members of the AASLD Governing Board and previous Distinguished Award recipients are not eligible to receive an award. 

Distinguished Service Award 

The AASLD Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual in honor of their sustained service to AASLD and the field of hepatology. This award recognizes the long-term commitment and significant contributions 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 AASLD.  

Eligibility: The awardee need not be a member of AASLD. Nominated and sitting members of the AASLD Governing Board and previous Distinguished Award recipients are not eligible to receive an award. 

Distinguished Advocacy Award  

The AASLD Distinguished Advocacy Award is given to an organization or individual in honor of sustained advocacy on behalf of the liver disease community. The award recognizes advocacy over an extended period that promotes liver health and the quality of patient care. 

Eligibility: The awardee need not be a member of the AASLD. Nominated and sitting members of the AASLD Governing Board and previous Distinguished Award recipients are not eligible to receive an award. 

 NOTE: Patients may submit a nomination for this award in collaboration with an AASLD member. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Each year, AASLD honors individuals whose sustained contributions have advanced hepatology and strengthened the liver health community. 

Recipients are formally recognized at TLM, the premier global convening in hepatology, where their achievements are celebrated before peers and leaders across the field. 

The Distinguished Awards include: 

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

The Distinguished Awards highlight leaders whose work shapes the future of liver health. By recognizing their sustained impact at TLM, AASLD elevates excellence, inspires the next generation, and reinforces its commitment to advancing science, education, advocacy, and patient care worldwide. 

Current nominees and sitting members of the AASLD Governing Board, as well as previous Distinguished Award recipients, are not eligible to receive an award. Please click here [link to past awardees page] for a list of past recipients across all award categories. 

New for 2026, patients may submit a nomination for the Distinguished Advocacy Award in collaboration with an AASLD member. 

All AASLD members are encouraged to submit nominations. Members may nominate any qualified individuals, including those who are not AASLD members. 

Peer and self-nominations are welcome. 

Yes. AASLD encourages self-nominations to ensure broad and equitable consideration of leaders whose impact deserves recognition.

The AASLD Distinguished Awards Committee reviews all nominations and selects award recipients, with final approval from the AASLD Governing Board. 

The online nomination process is designed to be streamlined and accessible. Nominators will provide: 

  • Basic information about the nominee. 
  • At least one letter of recommendation. 
  • An abridged CV. 

Not necessarily. While some awards recognize sustained service to AASLD, others honor scientific achievement, mentorship, clinical excellence, or advocacy that advances hepatology more broadly. 

AASLD seeks nominees whose sustained contributions have meaningfully advanced hepatology and strengthened the liver health community. 

Consistent with AASLD’s recognition that the study and treatment of liver disease encompasses healthcare professionals from many disciplines and backgrounds, we encourage a broad and inclusive pool of nominees that reflects the richness and diversity of our community — across roles, institutions, and areas of expertise. 

Nominees should demonstrate lasting impact, leadership, and a commitment to advancing liver science, education, advocacy, or patient care. 

In recognition of this high honor, Distinguished Award recipients receive: 

  • Recognition at the Awards and Honors Gala during TLM, ensuring recipients are celebrated before peers and leaders across the field. 
  • Public recognition on the AASLD website and TLM promotion. 
  • $1,500 honorarium. 
  • Complimentary TLM registration, including two nights of hotel accommodations and economy round-trip airfare.

Nominators and selected recipients will be notified by mid-May. 


For additional information about the Distinguished Awards, please contact governance@aasld.org.