2023 World AIDS Day Commissioner's Special Recognition Awards

Call for Nominations!

The Commissioner’s Special Recognition Awards will take place

on Thursday, November 30

at the Albany Capital Center, 55 Eagle St, Albany, NY .

The New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute (AI), is excited to recognize community members who have demonstrated dedication and excellence in HIV/AIDS prevention, protection, and treatment! Much of our work would not be possible without the passion and commitment of advocates. Nominations are now being accepted to honor the contributions of the wonderful public health professionals who strive to end epidemics and improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers living with HIV. Please see the eligibility and award topic area criteria below for the Commissioner’s Special Recognition Awards to be given out during World AIDS Day 2023.

A completed electronic nomination must be submitted by Friday, September 22, 2023, 5 PM EDT.
All questions must be filled in for the nomination to be finalized (unless otherwise specified).

Eligibility Criteria

Nominations will be considered for nominees who have not previously received a World AIDS Day Commissioner’s Special Recognition Award for the same category and region. (Please note, AI staff will determine if a nominee is a past recipient for the same category and region.)
Self-nominations will not be considered.
Only one Nominee per New York state region and topic area will be chosen to receive an award, based exclusively on a completed nomination form. Selected awardees will be contacted about assistance with travel and accommodations.

Submission Guidelines

Nominators may submit more than one form; however, please be aware that once you start a nomination form it cannot be saved and resumed later.
If you have questions, comments, or problems with submitting a nomination form, email worldaidsday@health.ny.gov.

General Nominee Information

The nominee might be either an individual or a team. You may leave blank items that aren't relevant for your nominee.

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* 1. Type of Nomination

Individual

Team

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* 2. First Name (for Team, enter team name on this line)

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* 3. Last Name (for Team, enter team representative's full name)

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* 4. Pronouns

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* 5. Region of Nominee

Capital District

Central New York (e.g. Syracuse)

Finger Lakes

Hudson Valley

Long Island

New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island)

Southern Tier

Western New York (e.g. Buffalo, Rochester)

North Country

Mohawk Valley

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* 6. Workplace (Individual only)

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* 7. Position/Title (individual only)

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* 8. Phone number with area code (individual or team representative)

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* 9. Email (individual or team representative)

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* 10. Website (for team only)

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* 11. Short Bio (75 words or less)

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* 12. What makes the nominee's accomplishments and commitment outstanding to meet the topic area criteria and qualify for this award? (Minimum 500 characters)

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* 13. For how long has the nominee advocated for the health and wellness of New Yorkers?

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* 14. Which award topic area are you submitting for (select only one)?

HIV: Commitment to reducing new HIV diagnoses, promoting access to prevention services and/or support strategies to improve viral load suppression among those living with HIV. Nominee must have demonstrated innovative interventions that promote HIV screening, access to PrEP and/or PEP, rapid access to treatment for individuals newly diagnosed with HIV and/or linkage and retention in care to achieve individual viral suppression.

LGBTQ: Commitment and contribution to improving the health and wellness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals.

Drug User Health: Commitment and contribution to improving the health and wellness of persons who use drugs.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Commitment and contribution to reducing the impact of STIs.

Hepatitis C: Commitment to eliminating Hepatitis C by promoting Hepatitis C testing, ensuring timely linkage to care and improving access to Hepatitis C care, treatment and cure.

Youth Sexual Health: Commitment and contribution to ensuring the availability of comprehensive, age appropriate, medically accurate sexual health information and quality health services for New York State youth (ages 13-24).

Ken Dunning Trauma-Informed Care Advocate Supporter Memorial Award: In 2018, in recognition and memory of Ken Dunning, Onondaga Nation, Beaver Clan, the Ken Dunning Trauma-Informed Care Advocate Supporter Memorial Award was created. Ken was a member of the AIDS Institute’s Trauma-Informed Care Initiative as well as the New York State HIV Advisory Body and Central New York HIV Care Network. He embodied the spirit and commitment of putting Trauma-Informed Care into practice every day. He reminded us of the impact of historical trauma to Native people. The recipient of the Ken Dunning Trauma-Informed Care award will be recognized for continuing Ken’s dedication and commitment to aligning the fundamentals of Trauma-Informed Care in the delivery of services to include safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, empowerment, and cultural competency.

Living Your Truth Through Leadership, Expression and Pride: The Jasán M. Ward Memorial Award: In 2021, in recognition and memory of Jasán M. Ward the “Living Your Truth through Leadership, Expression and Pride Memorial Award” was created. Jasán was a staff member of the AIDS Institute’s Office of Planning and Community Affairs (OPCA) where he led and ensured community input was a critical and intentional aspect for all ending the epidemic efforts in New York State. The recipient of this award will be a creative thinker and advocate that exemplifies the character and courage through which Jasán lived his life. The recipient of this award will have chosen to be bold in using their truth to bring awareness, address inequities, and promote advancement for marginalized groups, such as People of Color (POC), the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Other Identities community (LGBTQ+), and People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Jasán was a role model to many. His shared life experience with those living with HIV was often reimagined through music, poetry, and dance. He reminded us of how the fine arts can heal and reshape lives. The recipient of this award will have made efforts to create opportunities and space for others around them to live and thrive in their own truth.

Rising Star: The Leanna Thornton Memorial Award: In 2021, in recognition and memory of Leanna Thornton, mom; advocate; and PLWH; the “Rising Star: The Leanna Thornton Memorial Award” was created. Leana was a vocal consumer, fiercely and unassumingly leading the way for those born with HIV and long-term survivors. As a child, Leanna fought stigma, discrimination, and preconceptions of those living with HIV. She was grace under pressure and a natural leader. Leanna was also a staff member of the AIDS Institute’s Office of the Medical Director (OMD) where she oversaw the public-facing consumer and community involvement components of OMD’s cross program quality management initiatives. Leanna elevated service to PLWH through her work and across all of New York State. Rising many challenges, Leanna reminds us of the important work and service to our community. The recipient of this award will themselves be a Rising Star in the field of HIV prevention and treatment, someone who is called upon and responds to today’s challenges with innovation, determination, and grace.