Awards will be presented at the 2010 AAGP Plenary Session on March 5, 2010, in conjunction with the AAGP Annual Meeting, March 5-8, in Savannah, Georgia. Letters of application for the Deirdre Johnston award are due November 2, 2009. Nominations for the Distinguished Scientist are due November 2, 2009. All other applications/nominations are due December 1, 2009.

Don't miss your chance for recognition through AAGP's annual awards program:

• AAGP Distinguished Scientist Award
• AAGP Barry Lebowitz Early Career Scientist Award
• AAGP Member-in-Training Research Award
• AAGP Educator of the Year Award
• AAGP Clinician of the Year Award
• AAGP Award for Diversity
• AAGP Images of Aging Communications Award
• AAGP Deirdre Johnston Award for Excellence & Innovation in Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Services

AAGP strongly prefers to receive all materials and supporting documents in electronic form. All electronic submissions must be in Microsoft Word or a PDF document.

PLEASE SUBMIT ELECTRONIC COPIES OF ALL MATERIALS TO
ddisque@aagponline.org
NO LATER THAN the indicated deadline(s) and be sure to include the name of the award in the subject line.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Denise Disque, Awards Program Coordinator
Phone: 301-654-7850, ext. 105
E-Mail: ddisque@aagponline.org

MISSION
The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) is a national association representing and serving its members and the field of geriatric psychiatry. It is dedicated to promoting the mental health and well being of older people and improving the care of those with late-life mental disorders.

AAGP's mission is to enhance the knowledge base and standard of practice in geriatric psychiatry through education and research and to advocate for meeting the mental health needs of older Americans.

Awards will be presented at the:
2010 AAGP Annual Meeting
March 5-8, 2010
Savannah International Trade
and Convention Center
Savannah, Georgia

2010 AAGP Distinguished Scientist Award

The Award
The AAGP Distinguished Scientist Award is given to an AAGP member each year at the AAGP Annual Meeting. The award includes an honorarium of $2,000 and travel expenses to the 2010 AAGP Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia. The awardee will present a lecture at a special research awards session at the Annual Meeting on March 6. Selection is made by a committee appointed by the chair of the AAGP Research Committee.

Criteria for Selection
AAGP members and affiliate members, except for previous awardees and current selection committee members*, are eligible for the award. The following criteria will guide selection:

a. Selection is based on the body of original scientific works accomplished during the course of a career as well as mentorship of the careers of successful contributing junior researchers in the field of geriatric psychiatry.
b. Contributions of the nominee should be evaluated based on relevance to the field of geriatric psychiatry as well as recognition across the broader community of medical researchers.
c. This award should focus on scientific contributions as opposed to other leadership activities within the field.

Nominations
AAGP members are invited to submit letters of nomination, with no more than two seconding letters. Nominations are due by November 2, 2009.

*Previous awardees: George Alexopoulos, MD - Dan Blazer, MD, MPH, PhD - Barry Gurland, MD - Hugh Hendrie, MB, ChB, DSc - Lissy Jarvik, MD, PhD - Dilip Jeste, MD - Ira Katz, MD - Ranga Krishnan, MB, ChB - Bruce Pollock, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Peter Rabins, MD - Murray Raskind, MD - Charles F. Reynolds, III, MD - Robert G. Robinson, MD - Lon Schneider, MD - Gary Small, MD - Jürgen Unützer, MD - Jerome Yesavage, MD

Current selection committee: Christopher van Dyck, MD, chair - Linda Ganzini, MD - Helen Lavretsky, MD - Paul Newhouse, MD - Bruce Pollock, MD, PhD, FRCPC - Robert A. Sweet, MD

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AAGP Barry Lebowitz Early Career Scientist Award

AAGP shall present an award for the best original research paper submitted by an early career scientist. The award winner will present the paper at a special session at the Annual Meeting. To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Be in a fellowship or hold an academic rank no higher than assistant professor.
• Be an AAGP member or affiliate of AAGP.
• Have submitted, or agree to submit, his/her research paper for consideration by the AAGP journal, the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

• Publications in the area of geriatric psychiatry in peer reviewed journals.
• Research presentations at national or international meetings.
• Evidence of early career funding from federal or private grant agencies.

• Submission deadline: December 1, 2009.
• Please submit an abstract, as well as the corresponding research paper and a curriculum vitae.
• Please provide a cover letter that includes a brief statement summarizing your interests and goals for a research career in geriatric psychiatry and a statement outlining in detail your own contributions to the research paper you are submitting.
• The winner will be notified by letter no later than January 14, 2010.
• The awardee will receive $750 as well as complimentary registration and travel to the 2010 AAGP Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, to present his/her paper at the New Research session.

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AAGP Member-in-Training Research Award

AAGP shall present an award for the best original research primarily performed by a member-in-training. The award winner will present the paper at a special session at the Annual Meeting. To be eligible, an applicant must:

• Be a medical student, resident, or fellow.
• Be an AAGP member or affiliate of AAGP.
• Have submitted, or agree to submit, his/her research paper for consideration by the AAGP journal, the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

• Participation in an ongoing research program under the guidance of a mentor.
• Scholarly work in geriatric psychiatry through presentations or manuscript preparation.
• Involvement in research training or activities outside the scope of clinical training.

• Submission deadline: December 1, 2009.
• Please submit an abstract, as well as the corresponding research paper and a curriculum vitae.
• Please provide a cover letter that includes a brief statement summarizing your interests and goals for a research career in geriatric psychiatry and a statement outlining in detail your own contributions to the research paper you are submitting.
• The winner will be notified by letter no later than January 14, 2010.
• The awardee will receive $250 as well as complimentary registration and travel to the 2010 AAGP Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, to present his/her paper at the New Research session.

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AAGP Educator of the Year Award

AAGP will honor a member for demonstrated excellence in the field of geriatric psychiatry education. The award is designed to recognize extraordinary efforts, innovations, and accomplishments that have a direct impact on the quality of geriatric psychiatry education. To be eligible, a nominee must:

• Be a member or affiliate of AAGP.
• Have a primary academic appointment in a U.S. or Canadian institution.

• Curriculum development
• Teaching
• Leadership
• Mentoring
• Program development
• Student and faculty development
• Educational publications

• Submission deadline: December 1, 2009.
• A letter of nomination should be submitted addressing the candidate's accomplishments in the above areas, including details of educational endeavors, techniques and innovations that support excellence in and enthusiasm for geriatric psychiatry education.
• In addition, one to three supporting letters should be provided by other faculty, fellows, residents, students, or CME program coordinators who are well acquainted with the nominee's accomplishments and commitment to education.
• Include the nominee's curriculum vitae.
• The winner will be notified by January 14, 2010, and will be recognized at the 2010 AAGP Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, and presented a plaque. In addition, the winner will receive $500 as well as complimentary registration and travel to the meeting.

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AAGP Clinician of the Year Award

The Clinician of the Year Award recognizes an AAGP member who has demonstrated a profound commitment to the field of clinical geriatric psychiatry by providing, promoting and/or ensuring access to quality mental health care for older adults.

To be eligible, a nominee must:

• Be a current member of AAGP in good standing for a minimum of three consecutive years.
• Be a geriatric psychiatrist whose primary focus is the delivery of clinical psychiatric care to older adults in an office, hospital, long-term-care facility or community. Nominees may have adjunct, part-time academic appointments; however, the majority of their activities must be in the delivery of clinical psychiatric care to older adults.

• Being available and accessible to patients.
• Communicating clearly and carefully with patients and their families.
• Maintaining a high-level of professional competence.
• Adhering to the ethical and social standards inherent in the practice of geriatric psychiatry.
• Contributing to community health efforts focused on the delivery of quality psychiatric care to older adults.
• Demonstrating service to the field of geriatric psychiatry and/or AAGP.

• Submission deadline: December 1, 2009.
• A letter of nomination should be submitted from a current AAGP member to specifically address how the nominee's accomplishments relate to the purpose of the award. The nominee's curriculum vitae must be included.
• In addition, at least two additional letters of support should be provided by non-AAGP colleagues and others in the community.
• The winner will be notified by January 14, 2010, and will be recognized at the 2010 AAGP Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, and presented the award. In addition, the winner will receive $500 as well as complimentary registration and travel to the meeting.

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AAGP Award for Diversity

The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry will recognize an individual or organization for special service or attention to the mental health care needs of elderly minority or under-served populations in all areas, including ethnic, racial and religious groups, sexual orientation, and gender. This award is open to all geriatric mental health care providers, either individuals involved in research, education, or clinical work, or organizations who provide geriatric mental health care.

Award Criteria

• The award will recognize an individual or organization involved in geriatric mental healthcare who demonstrates sensitivity to issues of diversity in aging, or who has an innovative approach or track record of service to elderly minority or under-served populations.
• The awardee must be involved in geriatric mental health care, but all aspects of care will be considered, including research, clinical, education, and service delivery.

• Submission deadline: December 1, 2009.
• A letter of nomination should be submitted to specifically address how the nominee's accomplishments relate to the purpose of the award.
  • If the nominee is an individual, the letter of nomination should be accompanied by the individual's resume or curriculum vitae.
  • If the nominee is an organization, the letter of nomination should be accompanied by a company bio and/or a description of the specific program or activities to be considered, along with a name and phone number for the organization's point of contact.
• A maximum of two additional letters of support may be provided by other colleagues or members of the community.
• The winner will be notified by January 14, 2010, and will be recognized at the 2010 AAGP Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, and presented the award. The winner will also receive $500 and complimentary registration and travel to the meeting. (If the winner is an organization, registration and travel will be for one representative to attend.)

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AAGP Images of Aging Communications Award

The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry will recognize an author or media professional for his or her compassionate, informative coverage of mental health issues facing the elderly and their families and caregivers. As older Americans are the fastest-growing segment of the population, and mental illness that is not a normal part of aging affects one in five individuals age 55 and older, it is imperative that more resources be devoted to understanding, treating, diagnosing and preventing late-life mental illnesses. The media and writers' role in helping to bring these issues to the forefront is vital.

Award Criteria

• The association will consider articles published in a general-audience newspaper, magazine or online publication; novels, stories, poetry and essays; and radio and television programs.
• In addition to thoughtful discussion of late-life mental health, preference will be given to written works or programs that address the role of the geriatric psychiatrist.
• Preference will also be given to material with the greatest reach, i.e., national versus regional.
• Material will be judged on educational value and scientific accuracy.
• Material published/produced between November 16, 2008 and November 15, 2009, is eligible.

• Submission deadline: December 1, 2009.
• Please submit a letter to the association describing the importance of the particular piece submitted and the audience it reached, along with five copies of the item being nominated (CD of radio program or DVD of television program).
• The winner will be notified by January 14, 2010, and will be recognized at the 2010 AAGP Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, and presented the award. In addition, the winner will receive $500 as well as complimentary registration and travel to the meeting.

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AAGP Deirdre Johnston Award for Excellence and Innovation in Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Services

This award is designed to encourage programs to provide and/or expand direct services for meeting the mental health needs of the frail elderly in their homes.

An award of $10,000 will be granted to a geriatric mental health outreach services program based on excellence and/or innovation in providing services.

Eligbiliy

• Application deadline is November 2, 2009.
• Geriatric mental health outreach programs that provide community services are eligible to apply. Preference is given to programs in which a geriatric psychiatrist is involved. Educational outreach (e.g., presentations to community agencies) may be a component but should not be the sole focus. Only programs are eligible to receive the award (not individuals).
• Eligible applicants are U.S. and Canadian public and private nonprofit entities. For example: state, local or tribal governments; public or private universities and colleges; community- and faith-based organizations; and tribal organizations may apply.
• Programs are asked to submit a 3-5 page description describing their program (including the age of the program, target population, and evidence of impact) and stating why they should receive the award. Supplemental written materials may be included but CDs and DVDs are discouraged. No budget for use of the award is required.
• A representative from the award-winning program will be invited to give a brief lecture or poster presentation as part of the AAGP Annual Meeting program.
• Travel and lodging for the meeting and meeting registration will be the responsibility of the recipient of the award.
• The winner will be notified by letter no later than December 15, 2009.

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