Washington, D.C. – The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) recently recognized many higher education health professionals from across the country for their leadership, contributions and excellence in the fields of health sciences and health professions. The awards were presented at ASAHP’s annual conference “Innovation in Action: Growth and Collaboration in Higher Education and Health Professions” which took place October 14-16, 2025 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“It was a privilege to honor these individuals for their steadfast commitment to excellence in health professions education,” said ASAHP President Craig R. Jackson, JD, MSW, FASAHP, Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions at Loma Linda University. “Their efforts have elevated not only their institutions but also the mission of ASAHP and the entire higher education community. Through their work, they are helping to define the future of health professions education and improve patient outcomes.”
At a ceremony on the first day of the conference, the following awards were presented:
President's Award
Gregory Frazer, PhD, FASAHP
Former Dean of the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions
University of South Alabama
This awardee is chosen by the ASAHP current President to express gratitude to an individual who has dedicated him/herself to helping maintain the qualities of excellence that characterize a truly professional Association.
Distinguished Service and Achievement Award
Phyllis King, PhD, FASAHP
Chief Strategist for AI Advancement
Waukesha County Technical College
This award recognizes an individual who has brought recognition and credit to health sciences and health professions through their involvement in either health policy, development, or education.
Outstanding Member Award
David Brown, PT, PhD, FASAHP
This award recognizes members who have contributed significantly to ASAHP during the previous year and who, by example, have inspired others through their demonstrated leadership and active involvement in ASAHP affairs.
Trailblazer Award
Fevzi Akinci, PhD, FASAHP
Dean, John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences
Duquesne University
This award recognizes an ASAHP member or members whose visionary leadership has advanced innovation, inclusion, and excellence across academic programs, students, and the broader health professions community.
Fellows Program Award: (four recipients)
Lisa Dutton, PT, PhD, Professor & Dean, College of Health Professions, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Alfreda Harper-Harrison, EdD, MSN, RN, CLNC, Associate Professor, Winston Salem State University
Kim Hoggatt Krumwiede, PhD, CMI, Dean, School of Health Professions, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
LesLee Taylor, PhD, LAT, ATC, FNAP, Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, University of Kansas Medical Center
This award provides meaningful recognition to those members who have contributed significantly to health professions as administrators, educators, clinicians, or researchers. Recipients must be an active ASAHP member for five years with demonstrated leadership, publication in professional journals and professional creativity.
Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Health Care
Saint Louis University
Through the Award for Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Health Care, ASAHP looks to recognize a member institution for outstanding achievement in interprofessional education and interprofessional collaborative practice.
Award for Innovation and Excellence in Clinical Education
LSU Health New Orleans
Through the Award for Innovation and Excellence in Clinical Education, the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) looks to recognize an institutional member along with its clinical partner for innovation and excellence in clinical education.
ASAHP Scholarship of Excellence, Elwood Scholar
Amelia Sale
Bachelors of Science In Special Education, 2024
Masters of Health Science in Occupational Therapy Student 2026
Augusta University
The Scholarship of Excellence recognizes outstanding individuals who excel in their academic programs and have significant potential to assume future leadership roles in the health professions.
J. Warren Perry Journal of Allied Health Award
Meira L. Orentlicher, PhD, OT, FAOTA, CRA
Rivka Molinsky, OTR/L, PhD
Jill Horbacewicz, PT, PhD
Touro University
Each year, the winner of an award named after the Association’s second President and the founder of the Journal of Allied Health in 1972 is selected. Candidates for this honor are the authors of the 46 original research articles and commentary papers that appeared in issues of the Journal of Allied Health during the period Fall 2024 to Summer 2025. Based on an average of their respective scores, the paper ranked highest was Drs. Meira Orentlicher, Rivka Molinsky, and Jill Horbacewicz’s “From I to We: The Evolution of Individual Students from Seven Health Professions Programs to a Functioning Interprofessional Team” that appeared in the Winter 2024 issue.