The John Howland Award is the highest honor bestowed by the
American Pediatric Society The American Pediatric Society (APS) is the first pediatric society established in North America. Created in 1887, the APS pursues a vision of an engaged, inclusive, and impactful community of pediatric thought leaders. The APS mission is to shape t ...
(APS). Named in honor of
John Howland
John Howland (February 23, 1673) was an English indentured servant who accompanied the English Separatists and other passengers when they left England on the to settle in Plymouth Colony. In later years, he was an executive assistant and pers ...
(1873–1926), the award, with its accompanying medal, is presented annually by the American Pediatric Society for "distinguished service to pediatrics as a whole."
Since 1952, when
Edwards A. Park, M.D., received the inaugural Howland Award, this honor has been bestowed upon esteemed leaders in academic pediatrics whose significant contributions have advanced the lives of children and the profession of pediatrics through clinical care, scientific discovery, mentorship and service.
Dr.
Bonnie W. Ramsey, selected for the 2025 award, is the most recent Howland Awardee.
Description
Article II of the APS Constitution forms the actual basis for the selection of the Howland recipient, which states:
History
The award has been described as what "may be the most coveted award in all of pediatrics" in a 2003 journal article. Since 1976, a formal dinner has been held to honor the recipient of the Howland Award.
Dr.
Ethel Collins Dunham
Ethel Collins Dunham (1883–1969) was an American pediatrician. Dunham specialized in the care of preterm babies and infants, becoming chief of child development at the United States Children's Bureau in 1935. She established national standards ...
became the first woman to receive the award in 1957. Her partner, Dr.
Martha May Eliot
Martha May Eliot (April 7, 1891 – February 14, 1978), was a foremost pediatrician and specialist in public health, an assistant director for WHO, and an architect of New Deal and postwar programs for maternal and child health. Her first importan ...
became the second woman to receive the award in 1967.
Award recipients
Source
APS
See also
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List of medicine awards
This list of medicine awards is an index to articles about notable awards for contributions to medicine, the science and practice of establishing the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. The list is organized by region and c ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:John Howland Award
Awards established in 1952
Medicine awards
American science and technology awards