Awards of Excellence

NBDF’s 2025 Annual Awards of Excellence

The National Bleeding Disorder Foundations (NBDF) Awards of Excellence program celebrates outstanding individuals at our annual Bleeding Disorders Conference (BDC), who have made lasting contributions to our blood and bleeding disorders community. Through peer nominations, we recognize those whose service and dedication have created meaningful impact.

Please read the FAQs included below to learn more about the Awards of Excellence program, including how to nominate someone, ceremony information, and more. 

For any questions about the nomination process, please contact us at communications@bleeding.org.
 

HISTORICAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Nomination Information
Before submitting someone for an Award of Excellence, please read the award descriptions to verify that your candidate is eligible. Submissions will only be considered if submitted as complete – impartial submissions will not be considered.

To submit a nomination, complete the form using the button on this page. Select the award you are nominating your candidate for and why you think they should receive the award. Submit as much detail as possible, and ensure all required fields are complete and accurate before submitting. You may also submit any additional letters of recommendation, testimonials, links or multimedia by attaching them at the end of the form.

Who Can Nominate Candidates?
Members of the inheritable blood and bleeding disorders community, chapter volunteers and staff, as well as hemophilia treatment center (HTC) staff and medical professionals, can nominate candidates. 

Are Self-Nominations Allowed?
Self-nominations are not permitted. If a self-nomination is received, it will be excluded from consideration. 

Who is Eligible to Receive an Award?
Each award has different eligibility criteria. Review the descriptions below for information pertaining to each award. Those who meet the requirements are eligible to receive an award.  Note that current NBDF board members, NBDF staff, and paid consultants are not eligible to receive an award.

How are Awards Selected?
Depending on the award, selections are made by either (or a combination of) NBDF staff, volunteers, and/or working group members.

Deadline
The nomination deadline is Friday, April 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). Any submissions received after the deadline will not be considered, unless the nomination period is extended.

Award Notifications
You will be notified if your candidate has been selected to receive an award in July.

Awards Ceremony
The ceremony will be held in-person at BDC on the final day of the conference. All registered attendees will be able to attend. As of this time, the ceremony will not be livestreamed. Awardees will be able to request ticketed seating for non-BDC registrants, like friends and family members, to share this special moment. Awardees will receive details regarding this option at a later date.      

 


Awards Information and Eligibility

Awards for Medical Professionals or Professionals in a Medical Setting

Physician of the Year
Physician of the Year, given in honor of Kenneth Brinkhous, MD [1908-2000], honors a distinguished HTC physician who has had a major impact on the lives of individuals with inheritable blood and bleeding disorders. The winning individual exemplifies compassion and knowledge of the latest treatments, is a vocal patient advocate, is a valuable member of HTC staff, and is a committed caregiver whose concern for patients is apparent in everything he or she does. Dr. Brinkhous was a distinguished physician and professor whose research led to the development of revolutionary treatments for bleeding disorders, and NBDF is honored to dedicate this award in his memory.

Nurse of the Year
Nurse of the Year honors an HTC nurse who has demonstrated service to the inheritable blood and bleeding disorders community beyond their day-to-day responsibilities at their treatment center workplace. This individual serves as a role model for others in the nursing field and has a minimum of two years' experience working with blood or bleeding disorder patients at an HTC.

Physical Therapist of the Year
Physical Therapist of the Year, given in honor of Donna Boone, PT, honors an individual who has demonstrated service to the bleeding disorders community above and beyond their daily responsibilities in an HTC PT role. This person serves as a role model for others in the physical therapy field and has a minimum of two years’ experience working with individuals with blood or bleeding disorders at an HTC. Donna Boone [1932-2019] was a pioneer in physical therapy and bleeding disorders and served as a mentor for many professionals, and NBDF is honored to continue her legacy with this award.

Social Worker of the Year
Social Worker of the Year, given in honor of Jill Solomon, honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding service to the blood/bleeding disorders community beyond their day-to-day responsibilities in an HTC social work role. This person serves as a role model for others in the field and has a minimum of two years’ experience working with individuals with community members and/or families at an HTC. Jill Solomon was a former NBDF staff member who was a tireless advocate for social workers. She was beloved, respected, and honored by the NBDF Social Work Working Group. The award was renamed in her honor following her death in 1997.

Mary M. Gooley Humanitarian of the Year
Mary M. Gooley Humanitarian of the Year honors a non-provider HTC staff member or professional at another service agency who is dedicated and committed to the care of families and patients at their HTC or service agency. This person has shown a caring and humane spirit in their work to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Mary Gooley [1925-2019] devoted more than 40 years to the bleeding disorders community. She served as the executive director of the Hemophilia Center-Rochester Region, Inc.—now known as the Mary M. Gooley Hemophilia Center—and continued to volunteer after her retirement. NBDF is honored to remember her legacy with this award.

Genetic Counselor of the Year
Genetic Counselor of the Year acknowledges an individual who has taken a leading role in assisting, guiding, and educating families and individuals on the genetic inheritance of blood and bleeding disorders. For many families who learn they are carriers of an inheritable bleeding disorder, a genetic counselor is often the first person to foster the family's understanding of a patient journey and inspires informed decisions. The Genetic Counselor of the Year is an expert and empathetic. He or she is current with the latest research in anticipation of an enhanced role in the expanding arena of molecular therapies for coagulation disorders.

Dr. Murray Thelin Researcher of the Year
The Dr. Murray Thelin Researcher of the Year award goes to an individual who has made an invaluable contribution to scientific research and discovery that has positively impacted the inheritable blood and bleeding disorders community. This award is named in honor of Dr. Murray Thelin and honors a distinguished scientist who has made major contributions to bleeding disorder-related research. Dr. Murray Thelin [1927-1966], a biochemist who had hemophilia, played a major role in the development of a method for concentrating the antihemophilic factor. Since 1966, this award has honored those researchers who offer new insights and developments to the bleeding disorders community that will improve the quality of life for those affected as well as lead us towards an eventual cure. Criteria for this award includes: Nominees should have a research background in inherited blood or bleeding disorders regardless of affiliation with a federally funded HTC; all doctoral level researchers are eligible (MDs, PhDs, DNPs, DPTs, etc. within and outside the HTC multi-disciplinary team; substantial contribution to research in areas that contribute to bleeding disorders understanding or care as reflected by leadership in clinical trials, publications, grants; and lastly, industry colleagues may be eligible if their work clearly has had broad and substantial impact on our understanding of bleeding disorders or development of groundbreaking therapies.

 

Awards Honoring NBDF Community Advocates, Volunteers, and Chapter Staff

Advocate of the Year
Advocate of the Year, given in honor of Joseph Early and Dr. L. Michael Kuhn, recognizes a person who plays an active role in their chapter’s advocacy program, advocates on behalf of the community and displays a commitment to ensuring people with bleeding disorder have access to treatment and care. The chapter must be affiliated with NBDF. U.S. Rep. Joseph D. Early [1933-2012] was a high-ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee until 1993 and a champion for treatment of people with inheritable blood bleeding disorders. Dr. L. Michael Kuhn [1929-1974] was a dedicated medical professional and a strong advocate for the bleeding disorders community. This award honors both of their significant contributions.

Chapter Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer of the Year award recognizes a chapter volunteer who has made a lasting impact on their local chapter through their leadership, volunteer efforts, engagement, and advocacy. The recipient has shown dedication to the mission of their chapter over the years and has served as a valuable resource for their local community.  The volunteer must belong to an NBDF-affiliated chapter. 

Lived Experience Expert of the Year
Lived Experience Experts (LEEs)  are individuals, their caregivers, and family members directly impacted by inheritable bleeding disorders.  Their diverse and personal knowledge gives them the unique ability to translate lived experiences into meaningful system change. Based on this important perspective, LEEs should, to the best of their ability, influence and/or drive bleeding disorders research. They should reflect a diversity as vast as those affected by them. The Lived Experience Expert of the Year honors an individual who has made philanthropic contributions to and engaged in NBDF research initiatives in the areas of clinical trial design, community engagement, recruitment, education, and advocacy.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award, given in honor of Dick James, recognizes an individual who has dedicated his/her life to the inheritable blood and bleeding disorders community to improve the lives of those affected. This person has contributed his or her time and energy on a national or international scale to advance research, care, and advocacy, and develop new leadership that will lead this organization into the future. Dick James [1951-1993], who had hemophilia and AIDS, was an advocate and leader on behalf of people with inheritable blood and bleeding disorders and HIV.

Loras Goedken Outstanding Leadership Award
Loras Goedken Outstanding Leadership Award is presented to a current chapter board member (serving within the most recent year of an NBDF-affiliated chapter) who has demonstrated leadership and engagement to the benefit of their chapter and their local community. Loras Goedken [1944-1997] was a proactive leader for the inheritable blood and bleeding disorders community. He was a tireless advocate, served in his chapter, and was active on many local boards, government, and support groups. 

Philanthropist of the Year Award 
The Philanthropist of the Year Award honors an individual, family, foundation, or corporate partner whose generosity has significantly advanced the mission of the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF). This prestigious award celebrates extraordinary commitment through transformative gifts of time, resources, and advocacy that support vital programs, expand access to care, drive research, and create lasting change for individuals and families affected by inheritable blood and bleeding disorders. Recipients embody compassion, leadership, and impact, inspiring others to give back, champion healthcare equity, and strengthen NBDF’s ability to serve the diverse needs of the bleeding disorders community.

Ryan White Youth Award
The Ryan White Youth Award, named in honor of Ryan White, is presented to a young individual (8-25 years old) who has helped educate others both within the inheritable blood and bleeding disorders community, and among the general population by increasing awareness and understanding. Ryan White [1972-1990] had severe hemophilia and contracted AIDS in 1984 through the infusion of contaminated clotting factor. He brought national attention to hemophilia and its complications, changed people's prejudicial attitudes, educated the public and generated national compassion. This award carries and honors his important legacy. 

The Val Bias and Todd Smith Innovation in Camp Award  
Camp is at the core of the blood and bleeding disorders community. Each year, chapters across the country work tirelessly to put on camp programs that provide critical educational opportunities create memories that last a lifetime.  The Val Bias and Todd Smith Innovation in Camp Award will go to a chapter that developed and delivered new and creative camp programming the previous summer. Winner(s) will also receive $5,000 to put toward camp programming.

The Ziggy Douglas Innovation in Youth Programming Award
This award goes to chapters who champion, develop, and support the spirit of youth. Donald “Ziggy” Douglas was the Executive Director of the Hawaii Chapter of NBDF, who this community sadly lost far too soon. This award carries his legacy by honoring the chapters that prioritize the next generation of leaders.