Past Distinguished Awardees

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. Congratulations to all the past Distinguished 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.

  • 2025: Gyongyi Szabo, MD, PhD, FAASLD, AGAF, FACP 
  • 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

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.

  • 2025: Lewis Roberts, MBChB, 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

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.

  • 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

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.

  • 2025: David B. Ross, MD, PhD, MBI
  • 2025: 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