Excellence in Communications Awards

The Heersink School of Medicine communications team is pleased to announce the Excellence in Communications Awards.

These awards recognize the outstanding work of our communicators across the school and provide more opportunities to support annual performance evaluations.

 
Submitted pieces for the awards must have been published between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2025.

Award Categories

Written Content Category

Best of Research Articles

The “Best Research Article” award honors the most outstanding in-depth article focusing on scientific research conducted at UAB. This accolade celebrates articles that explore groundbreaking research, whether related to grants, scientific discoveries, or significant advancements in the field. The winning piece will be recognized for its thorough exploration of complex scientific topics, clarity in presenting research findings, and contribution to the understanding of cutting-edge work at UAB. Judged by the quality of writing, and impact, this award highlights excellence in communicating the vital scientific efforts and achievements of our institution.

Examples: Announcements of grant funding, a scientific breakthrough for a specific researcher and/or lab, clinical trial findings, research collaboration involving multiple departments, or national research recognition

Best of Executive Communication

The “Best Executive Communication” award demonstrates exceptional clarity, impact, and alignment when speaking from the voice of an executive. Judged on editorial quality, message effectiveness, and expertise in institutional voice, the awarded content will stand out for its ability to connect with readers and illuminate the essence of its subject. The content may provide an engaging portrayal of a faculty or staff member’s achievements and contributions, honor a group that has received institutional recognition, or highlight leadership within a team for their meaningful achievements.

Example: A message conveying a change in unit leadership, holiday messages, retirement spotlights from leadership, messages from leadership regarding unit information, speeches, event remarks

Best of Feature Stories

The “Best Feature Story” award honors the most compelling and well-crafted story that highlights a person, group, or program that shapes UAB’s mission, values, and impact. This accolade recognizes exceptional storytelling that brings to life the impact of individuals or teams within our community. The winning piece will stand out for its depth of insight, engaging narrative, and ability to connect readers to the human side of UAB’s work. Judges will evaluate entries based on writing quality, originality, and emotional resonance.

Examples: stories highlighting a faculty member’s career journey, a trainee’s unique research experience, a patient’s care experience, or the impact of a unique program or initiative at UAB

Best of “News You Can Use” Articles

The "Best of News You Can Use" award celebrates a type of feature story that provides practical, actionable information to help readers in their daily lives, such as tips and advice on specific topics. This content will be judged on how effectively it honors clear, practical writing that informs and empowers readers. Unlike traditional news stories, these articles are immediately helpful and applicable to the reader's life, going beyond simply reporting facts.

Example: How diet impacts cortisol, Understanding the modernization and importance of prostate cancer screenings and treatment, What to consume before, during and after your run

Creative Category

Best of Creative Event Production

The “Best of Creative Event Production” award recognizes the work of a communicator who had a major role in executing a successful event. The winner will have shown cohesive, creative, and impactful creative components related to the event. Showcasing how events and communication skills often go hand-in-hand, this award highlights a communicator for their strategic communication, creativity, and storytelling through more than one avenue.

Note: This award is not to recognize event planning or event management. Creative assets for this category could include an event proof of concept, branding assets, marketing materials, the script for the emcee, the run-of-show of the event, slides or videos shown at the event, photography showing the final look and feel of the event, a recap story about the event, quotes from attendees about the impact, press coverage, etc. 

Examples: Groundbreaking ceremonies, institutional celebrations, milestone announcements, faculty, staff, trainee, or patient recognition events, events relating to fundraising, awareness, education, or community outreach

Best of Visual Assets 

The "Best of Visual Assets" award recognizes outstanding illustrations, graphics, or other visual design elements created to support and elevate communications across the UAB community. Entries in this category should demonstrate exceptional clarity, quality of execution, and alignment with UAB’s brand identity. This category celebrates custom artwork designed using UAB-approved tools such as Adobe Express or Illustrator. Winning submissions will stand out for their creativity, originality, and ability to enhance the effectiveness and impact of a broader communications effort.

Examples: PowerPoint presentations, promotional materials (pop-ups, etc.), flyers, one-pagers, invitations, etc.

Best of Digital Publication

The "Best of Digital Publication" award celebrates outstanding design and communication in publications (longer than one page) across the UAB Heersink community. Entries in this category should demonstrate excellence in both visual and written content, showcasing professional execution, creative strategy, and thoughtful alignment with UAB’s brand standards. Winning submissions will stand out for their cohesive layout, originality, and effectiveness in conveying key messages through design and storytelling.

Examples: Magazines, annual reports, brochures, event programs

Best of Graphic Design: Intermediate Level

The “Best of Graphic Design: Intermediate Level” award recognizes outstanding design work created by non-design professionals who demonstrate exceptional creativity and skill without formal design training or who aren't in a design-specific role. Entries in this category should reflect strong visual communication, thoughtful use of layout and typography, and alignment with UAB’s brand standards. Entries should be created using UAB-approved tools such as Adobe Express or Illustrator. Winning submissions will stand out for their clarity, originality, and effectiveness in supporting key messages through professional-quality design.

Examples: Flyers, social media graphics, event materials, reports, infographics, or other visual pieces developed in-house using tools 

Best of Graphic Design: Mastery Level

The “Best of Graphic Design: Mastery Level” award honors exceptional design work created by professional graphic designers (those in design-specific roles or who have formal design training) within the UAB community. Entries in this category should exemplify excellence in technical execution, creative direction, and brand alignment. Winning submissions will be distinguished by their polished presentation, mastery of design principles, and ability to strategically communicate messages that elevate UAB’s professional reputation.

Examples: Flyers, social media graphics, event materials, reports, infographics, or other visual pieces developed in-house using tools 

Social Media Category

Best of Social Media Engagement

The “Best of Social Media Engagement” award recognizes the communicator whose single social media post achieved the highest engagement rate (not just engagements) during the award year. Celebrating creativity, authenticity, and connection, this category highlights content that resonated most with audiences—whether through likes, comments, shares, or other meaningful interactions. Submissions must be posted on an official UAB-affiliated social media account. Submissions must include the engagement rate.

Unlike other categories, this award is determined solely by data, with the winner selected based on a verified engagement rate metric rather than judging or rubric scoring.  There will be no formal “judging” for this category, as the highest submitted engagement rate will be the winner.

*Remember: “Engagement rate” and “engagements” are not the same.

Best of Social Media Posts

The “Best of Social Media Posts” award honors the most exceptional individual social media post shared across UAB-affiliated channels. Content could be captured spontaneously in the moment or produced through thoughtful strategic planning. Entries in this category should demonstrate creativity, clarity, and strong alignment with UAB’s brand, showcasing the ability to engage audiences in meaningful ways.

Examples: Snapping a photo of a group of residents having lunch at Moe’s BBQ and sharing on Instagram, a single post created to promote a specific program, highlight an achievement, or share an institutional message that demonstrates professional-level planning, creativity, and impact

Best of Social Media Campaigns

The "Best of Social Media Campaigns" award celebrates outstanding, cohesive campaigns executed across one or more social platforms. Entries in this category should reflect comprehensive strategy and planning—bringing together visuals, messaging, and timing to deliver a unified communications effort that supports larger institutional or departmental goals. Winning submissions will be distinguished by their consistency, creativity, and measurable impact in advancing awareness, engagement, or participation.

Examples: Multi-post or multi-platform campaigns supporting awareness months, conferences, recruitment efforts, fundraising initiatives, or event series that feature cohesive storytelling, branding, and coordinated rollout

Video Category

Best of Video Project Management

The “Best of Video Project Management” award recognizes a communicator within the Heersink School of Medicine who has excelled in managing a video project produced with the support of external partners, such as freelance videographers, production vendors, or the MarComm team. The communicator should have overseen key aspects of the project, including setting goals, scheduling, coordinating timelines, managing budgets, and ensuring alignment with UAB's strategic objectives and brand standards. Submissions should showcase effective collaboration, clear direction, and a well-executed final product that communicates purpose and resonates with the intended audience.

Examples: Coordinating with MarComm to create a residency recruitment video, working with a freelance videographer on a faculty spotlight video

Best of In-House Video Production

The "Best of In-House Video Production" award recognizes a communicator who independently creates compelling video content without the support of professional videographers, external contractors, or a significant budget. This category honors resourcefulness, creativity, and the ability to produce high-quality, engaging videos using in-house or personal equipment such as a phone, tablet, laptop, or personal camera. This includes short-form and longer videos. Editing must be done using UAB-approved tools like Adobe Express or Adobe Premiere Pro.

Examples: Recording a faculty spotlight on a phone or documenting a departmental event, a social media reel that creatively showcases a program or initiative, a 60-second faculty or staff spotlight

Communications Excellence Category

Intern of the Year

The "Intern of the Year" award recognizes an exceptional intern who has demonstrated outstanding performance and dedication throughout their internship. This accolade honors an intern who has excelled in their role, showcasing exceptional skills, and exhibiting a willingness to learn, a strong work ethic, and enthusiasm. This award highlights the intern's overall impact, including high-quality work, problem-solving, and effective collaboration.

Heart of Gold

The "Heart of Gold" award honors an individual who exemplifies the spirit of UAB by upholding UAB's mission, vision, and values, adhering to brand standards, following institutional procedures, and maintaining a collaborative spirit and efficient work ethic. This award recognizes a communicator who consistently goes above and beyond to support others, foster a positive environment, and strengthen the sense of community across UAB. This award recipient works to maintain the highest standards of excellence and encourages a collaborative environment that reflects the true spirit and aspirations of the UAB community.

Eligibility: Open to UAB employees at any career stage or length of service.

Senior Communicator of the Year

The “Senior Communicator of the Year” award recognizes a seasoned communications professional with a decade or more of experience who has demonstrated sustained excellence, leadership, and impact. This award honors an individual whose career reflects mastery of their craft, deep alignment with UAB’s mission, and a lasting influence on their peers and institution. The recipient is a role model in strategic thinking, mentorship, and collaboration, embodying the highest standards of professionalism and creativity

Eligibility: Must have worked in the communications field since before January 1, 2015.

Junior Communicator of the Year

The “Junior Communicator of the Year” award celebrates an emerging communications professional who has been in the field for nine years or less and has already shown exceptional skill, innovation, and promise. This award highlights an individual who embodies UAB’s values through their work, demonstrating creativity, initiative, and a forward-thinking approach to communication. The recipient stands out as a leader among peers and represents the future of excellence in the UAB communications community.

Eligibility: Must have started working as a communications professional after January 1, 2015.

People’s Choice

The People’s Choice award recognizes an outstanding communications project or campaign within the UAB Heersink School of Medicine. This award highlights a collection of (two or more) pieces across a singular channel or multiple pieces across various channels. The selected project or campaign effectively conveyed a message, attracted attention or engagement, and supported an overall goal, such as promotion of an event, increased awareness around a topic, etc. All submissions will be narrowed down by a panel of judges and then voted on by fellow UAB Heersink communicators.

Examples: Communications campaign with multiple social media posts, a flyer, digital sign, etc. A unique project involving multiple communication channels or coordination and leadership by the communicator

FAQ

General

What are the dates a project can be submitted, and within what timeframe? 
You can submit entries for 2025 Awards from January 23, 2026-February 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Submissions must have been published, released, or considered final between the dates of Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025.

Do spelling and grammar count in my submission?
Yes. As communicators, proper spelling and grammar are a keystone of the work we do. Spelling and grammar mistakes will result in disqualification of a submission. 

Can an entry that did not win in the previous year be resubmitted?
No, entries that were submitted in the previous year and did not win cannot be resubmitted. We encourage new and fresh content each year to maintain a dynamic and competitive environment.

Can I submit one project into multiple categories? 
No. Each project may be submitted to only one category. Before submitting, make sure your project clearly aligns with the criteria of the category you select
Example: “Project A” cannot be submitted to both the Written Content Category and the Creative Category.

Can I submit one project for multiple awards within one category?
No. Each project may be submitted for only one award. Choose the award that best reflects the focus and strengths of your project.
Example: “Project A” cannot be submitted for both Best of Research Articles and Best of Feature Stories within the Written Content Category.

Can I submit more than one project for a single award?
No. Each individual may submit only one project per award. If you have multiple projects, you must choose the single submission that best aligns with the criteria for that award.
Example: You may not submit both “Project A” and “Project B” to the Best of Feature Stories within the Written Content Category.

Is there a limit to submissions I can make?
There is no limit to the number of submissions you may make overall. However, each individual project may be submitted only once, to one category and one award, and you may not submit more than one project for a single award.

Can someone else submit a project on my behalf?
No. All submissions must be completed by the individual entering the project. Submissions made on behalf of someone else are not permitted.
*Exceptions may be granted in extenuating circumstances. If you believe this applies to you, please contact the planning committee for guidance before submitting.

Can I make submissions on behalf of someone else?
You may only make submissions for someone else within the Communications Excellence Awards section.

Can my department leadership nominate me?
Yes, but only within the Communications Excellence Awards section.

Videography

Can a video produced by a team win the "Best In-House Video Production" award? 
Yes, a video produced by a team can win, provided that all members are part of the Heersink School of Medicine, and no external professionals were involved. The key criteria are that the video is produced in-house using personal or in-house equipment and resources.

I worked on a video, but I’m not the videographer. Can I still submit the video?
Yes, you can still submit the video, but it should be submitted under the “Best Video Project Management” category. Your contribution should have significantly impacted the overall quality and execution of the video. Please ensure that all major contributors are credited in the submission.

Can I submit more than one video?
Yes, but each submission should be for a different award. Each submission should meet the criteria for the category it is entered.

Are there specific themes or topics that videos should cover to be eligible for awards?
No specific themes or topics are required; however, videos should ideally reflect the values and goals of the Heersink School of Medicine.