AAWC Awards

Award Criteria

Emerging Leader Award

Recipients are selected by the Awards Committee through peer and Board recommendations and have:

Practiced less than 5 years in wound care and demonstrate an understanding of the field
Been an AAWC member for at least 2 years
Served on a committee and are actively involved in committee work
Have not been a Board member
Demonstrated support of the AAWC brand and mission
Sought ways to be actively involved
Demonstrated leadership qualities (speaking, project leader, professionalism)
Pursued professional development

Distinguished Members

Each year the AAWC proudly honors one Distinguished Member Award. The award has been bestowed upon many influential and dedicated AAWC members. Selected by the AAWC Awards Committee and approved by the AAWC Board of Directors, the AAWC Distinguished Member Award is given annually to a member who has selflessly volunteered an abundance of their time and talents to the AAWC and has gone "above and beyond the call of duty" to move the Association forward.

Visit the Distinguished Member page for the historical list of recipients.

The Outstanding Contribution to Wound Care

This new award reflects one whom:

Has contributed to advancing the practice of wound care
Has made an impact in their field of wound care
Is an AAWC member in good standing.

It could be an individual/ Group or Corporation. The award would reflect a wide range of accomplishments, whether in clinical care, industry, research or innovation.

President's Award

Chosen by the AAWC President and awarded once per presidential term, the President's award is bestowed upon an individual who has been most helpful to the President, for whatever reason, during his or her presidency. Selection criteria may include:

Support provided specifically to the President during their term
Actively assisting or individually mobilizing a strategic AAWC effort
An individual who has given time above and beyond normal expectation
Overall value / contributions to the AAWC

You Make the Difference Award

This award is selected by the AAWC staff with CEO approval and serves to recognize a member who:

Has been a member for a minimum of 3 consecutive years
Demonstrates an "extra mile" attitude through their dedication to the AAWC mission and objectives
Exudes positivity for the AAWC
Regularly refers new members
Is "always around"
Serves in a periphery manner and shows consistency in commitment to the AAWC

The AAWC is always proud to honor those in our membership community who exemplify the mission of our association in significant ways. The Awards & Recognition Committee thanks the AAWC members who nominated deserving members for the Emerging Leader Award and Distinguished Member in 2020.

Award Recipients, by Year

2022 Awards

AAWC is pleased to congratulate these members, recognized at the 2022 AAWC Annual Conference in Salt Lake City November 12, 2022:


Igor Melnychuk, MD Outstanding Contributions to Wound Care	Alton R. Johnson Jr. DPM, FACPM, FASPS, CWSP Emerging Leader	Karen Bauer, NP-C, CWS, FAAWC Distinguished Member	Recipient will be announced on-site! President's Circle Award

2020 Awards

AAWC is pleased to congratulate these members, who were recognized at the 2020 AAWC Virtual Annual Member Meeting in December 2020:

You Make the Difference Maria Goddard, MD, CWS, FAPWCA, PCWC	Emerging Leader Marc Jones, DPM, FACFAOM	Outstanding Contribution to Wound Care Brian Bucina, DO, CWSP
The Robert A Warriner III Memorial Award Vickie Driver, DPM, MS, FACFAS, FAAWC	President’s Circle Award Peggy Dotson, RN, BS	President’s Circle Award Jim Haddow, MBA
President’s Circle Award Kara Couch, MS, CRNP, CWCN-AP	AAWC Distinguished Member Greg Bohn, MD, FACS, UHM/ABPM, MAPWCA, FACHM, FAAWC

2018 Awards

These AAWC members were recognized at the 2018 AAWC Spring Membership Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina during SAWC. The AAWC is pleased to congratulate...

Emerging Leader

Emily Greenstein, APRN, CNP, CWON