GPHA Alumni Awards

We created the GPHA Alumni Awards to recognize singular individuals who characterize excellence, dedication and virtue as health care leaders. The winners are the best-of-the-best of more than 1,700 graduates of the Department of Health Services Administration graduate programs.

Established in 1966, our mission is to develop leaders to shape tomorrow’s health care. Our values include excellence, collaboration, respect, integrity, and diversity, equity & inclusion. These are also the values held by our GPHA members.

Alumnus/Alumna of the Year

The GPHA Alumnus/Alumna of the Year award recognizes outstanding leadership by alumni of the HSA Department’s graduate programs in all sectors and work settings. The honor reflects the breadth of our 1700+ graduate alumni working in medical group management, post-acute care, pharma, insurance, hospitals and health systems, academia, and more.

Qualifying candidates must be at least 10 years post degree or 10 years in senior management. They must also demonstrate outstanding leadership in their work, contribution to the field, participation in local/state/national health care organizations/associations, community service, and active support of UAB students and alumni. 

Emerging Leader of the Year

The GPHA Emerging Leader of the Year award recognizes outstanding leadership by alumni of the HSA Department’s graduate programs in all sectors and work settings. The honor reflects the breadth of our 1700+ graduate alumni working in medical group management, post-acute care, pharma, insurance, hospitals and health systems, academia, and more.

Qualifying candidates must be at least five and less than ten years post degree. They must also demonstrate outstanding leadership in their work, contribution to the field, participation in local/state/national health care organizations/associations, community service, and active support of UAB students and alumni. 

The following honors are not annual awards, they are only delivered when an alumnus or alumna accomplishes significant achievements.

Unsung Hero Award

Our newest honor is the Unsung Hero Award. This honor will show appreciation to alumni who instill pride in our Department and raise awareness in the field about what UAB GPHA members are accomplishing. This award will especially highlight the silent heroes who all too often go unrecognized and unsung. We wish to acknowledge how these individuals heighten the profile of their organizations, communities, and the HSA Department. This is an award that will inspire others to follow in the hero's path.

We are seeking evidence that a GPHA member is making the world a better place above and beyond what is required in any way that matters. Some examples include, but are not limited to community service, excellence in the workplace and other contributions to society.

Inclusive Excellence Award

This award recognizes GPHA members who demonstrate leadership in the area of diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competency. We define diversity broadly to include issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and any other way that individuals or communities are excluded from the health system or experience disparities in that system.

The winners will demonstrate leadership and achieve measurable results in diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competency in their organizations, community and/or the field. They will also actively engage in supporting UAB students and alumni individually, through the program, GPHA and/or Department. They must also demonstrate our Department’s values and a commitment to improving health and health care and creating organizations where all can thrive.