Awards
Overview
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) offers a comprehensive array of award programs designed to honor its members and individuals who have made significant contributions to addiction medicine. These programs celebrate excellence in clinical practice, research, education, and advocacy, highlighting the vital roles that dedicated professionals play in improving the lives of those affected by addiction. ASAM aims to inspire continued commitment and innovation in addiction care through these awards, recognizing the crucial role of professionals in this field and fostering a supportive community dedicated to advancing the field.
Application period open on August 1, 2025
All Award Recipients are honored during the .
2025 Award Recipients
Gitlow Leadership Award
The ASAM Gitlow Leadership Award is presented to those individuals who have served as national president of ASAM. It is bestowed upon the completion of their term as the Past President, by which time the recipient has served nearly a decade on the presidential track of the ASAM Board. 
William F. Haning, III, MD, DLFAPA, DFASAM
Univ Hawaii School of Medicine
Dr. William Hanning, a distinguished figure in the medical community, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Inaugural Gitlow Leadership Award, in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contributions.
This award, named in honor of two esteemed former presidents of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Dr. Stanley Gitlow and Dr. Stuart Gitlow, was presented to Dr. Hanning by Stuart Gitlow during ASAM’s 56th Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado April 2025.
Dr. Hanning's award acknowledges nearly a decade of dedicated service on the ASAM Board's presidential track. He served as ASAM President from 2021 to 2023 and has made significant contributions throughout his extensive 32 years of service to ASAM, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the field of addiction medicine.
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The John P. McGovern Award on Addiction and Society
The John P. McGovern MD Award and Lecture on Addiction and Society - established in 1997 to recognize and honor an individual who has made highly meritorious contributions to public policy, treatment, research, or prevention which has increased our understanding of the relationship of addiction and society. The Award is sponsored by an endowment from the John P. McGovern Foundation.
Yngvild K. Olsen, MD, MPH, DFASAM
Director, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
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ASAM Annual Award
The Annual Award recognizes and honors an individual for outstanding contributions to the growth and vitality of ASAM, for thoughtful leadership in the field, and for deep understanding of the art and science of Addiction Medicine." and " for expanding the frontiers of the field of Addiction Medicine and broadening our understanding of the addictive process, through research and innovation.
Cara A. Poland, MD, MEd, FACP, DFASAM
Associate Professor
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
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Diversity, Equality, Inclusion, and Justice Award
The ASAM Award for the Promotion of Inclusion, Diversity, Equality, and Justice in Addiction Medicine recognizes and honors an individual for their treatment, research, or work in the area of injustice related to addiction care, that has improved the lives of individuals with addiction disorders and that have been the object of discrimination, injustice, exclusion, or persecution.
Ruchi Fitzgerald, MD, FASAM
Associate Program Director and Service Chief of Inpatient Addiction Medicine
PCC Community Wellness/ Rush University
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Fellowship Directors Award
The ASAM Fellowship Directors Award (formerly the ASAM Annual Training Directors Award) recognizes and honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding training in the evaluation, treatment, research and teaching of substance use disorders.
Timothy K. Brennan, MD, MPH
Chief of Clinical Services, Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai
Fellowship Director, Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Icahn School of Medicine
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Public Policy Award
The Public Policy Award honors an individual who has effectively advanced public policies that promote the health of Americans, especially persons with addictions; addiction medicine physicians; the education of physicians and medical trainees regarding substance use and addiction; or recognition of the practice of addiction medicine.
Vania P. Rudolf, MD, MPH, DFASAM
Addiction Recovery Services, Providence Swedish
Associate Professor of Family Medicine, University of Washington
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Media Award
The ASAM Media Award is presented for excellence in print or electronic journalism. The Award is bestowed for a newspaper, magazine, television, radio or website story, column, or program that improves the public's understanding of addiction, addiction treatment, recovery, or the profession of addiction medicine.
Maia Szalavitz
Author of Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction
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R. Brinkley Smithers Distinguished Scientist Award
The R. Brinkley Smithers and Distinguished Scientist Award - established in 1995 as a lasting tribute to R. Brinkley Smithers who influenced American alcoholism policy, theory and treatment. Through his dedication and philanthropy, he created a far greater understanding of this treatable disease.The Award recognizes and honors an individual who has made highly meritorious contributions in advancing the scientific understanding of addiction, its prevention and treatment.
Edward V. Nunes, Jr, MD, FASAM
Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center