Nominations Now Open for 2025 a2ru Awards for Excellence in Arts in Health Education
May 12, 2025
Nominations are now open for the 2025 a2ru Awards for Excellence in Arts in Health Education, which recognize arts in health educators in higher education for exceptional support and outstanding accomplishments towards the advancement of arts in health education.
Up to two winners will be selected. Each winner will be recognized at a2ru’s annual conference at the University of Wisconsin—Madison October 23-25, for which they will receive complimentary registration. The winners will also be awarded $500 each and invited to present their work at the a2ru conference or virtually in the a2ru webinar series.
The award is conferred through a2ru’s arts in health educators working group, established in 2021.
a2ru Executive Director Maryrose Flanigan says, “For the third year, a2ru is proud to recognize the outstanding educators who play a key role in the extraordinary growth of the arts in health field in the U.S. Their work developing programs and curricula is paving the way for a new generation of practitioners and improved health outcomes for those seeking care.”
Learn about last year’s winner, Aaron Anderson from a2ru member Virginia Commonwealth University, here. Read about our inaugural winners from 2023, Jennie Gubner and Alana Jackson, here.
Eligibility
All arts in health educators that have taught in higher education for at least 3 years* are invited to apply. Applicants are welcome to self-nominate. Winners will not be eligible for another award until two years have passed.
*can be non-consecutive
Criteria
Applicants will be judged on the following set of criteria to identify exceptional educators who have made an outstanding contribution to the profession.
- Have demonstrated excellence and effectiveness in teaching and advocacy for student learning and perspectives; and/or have developed a course, certificate, or degree academic program
- Demonstrate equitable and just teaching practices.
To Submit a Nomination
A complete application will include:
- Application form
- 250-word teaching philosophy.
- At least 1 letter of support, no more than 3. These may be uploaded to the application form as attachments or emailed directly to skfitz@umich.edu.
Optional supplemental materials may include: teaching evaluations, course syllabi, course descriptions, assignment guidelines, rubrics, etc.
All nominations are due by July 30, 2025. Please contact a2ru Associate Director Shannon Fitzsimons Moen at skfitz@umich.edu with any questions.