Award Nomination Deadline

All alumni award nominations must be completed and submitted by Sunday, June 19th in order to be considered. 

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. 

  • Winners
    2021 John A. Kueven
    2019 Lori D. Moler
    2018 Sylvia S. Young
    2017 Gordon B. Ferguson
    2016 Teresa C. Shufflebarger
    2015 I. William Ferniany
    2014 Martin C. Nowak
    2013 Melissa M. Mancini
    2012 Vance M. Chunn
    2011 William T. Richardson
    2010 James R. Burkhart
    2009 Sandra B. Thurmond
    2008 Michael C. Tarwater
    2007 Otis L. Story, Sr.
    2006 John D. Church
    2005 Alfred G. Stubblefield
    2004 Larry S. Sanders
    2003 Michael D. Williams
    2002 Ronald S. Owen
    2001 Neeysa D. Biddle
    2000 Howard P. West
    1999 David L. Gray
    1998 Larry W. Throneberry
    1997 Michael E. Garrigan
    1995 James L. Decker
    1994 John N. Robbins
    1993 S. Robert Hernandez
    1992 Jesse O. Weatherly, III
    1990 Charles A. Faulkner
    1988 Gary M. Glasscock
    1987 I. William Ferniany
    1986 Jon E. Vice
    1985 Robert C. Chapman

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. 

  • Winners
    2021: Caroline H. Sarratt


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.

  • Winners
    2021: Sarah M. Nafziger, MD

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.

  • Winners
    2021: Jared M. Fitzpatrick