While the name may have undergone a rebrand, our hope of recognizing and honoring the thousands of patients and caregivers supporting the online health community remains the same. Our patient leaders constantly amaze us through their unique advocacy efforts. Supporting fellow patients and caregivers with the tools they need to be the best version of themselves is worth celebrating!
We are thrilled to recognize so many incredible patient leaders over the years, but what’s even more special is to witness the growth that has taken place within the patient leader community over the past decade. The passion that the thousands of our patient leaders, warriors, survivors, advocates, and influencers have is immeasurable.
We encourage you to check out all of this year’s nominees, which certainly made it tough for our panel of judges. They’re all truly amazing.
Determining the Finalists
The three most endorsed individuals in each award category automatically became finalists. Three additional finalists were selected through multiple rounds of judging by Social Health Network community members. Nominees were reviewed and scored based on their fit for the award category, their uses of social media, and their focus on sharing information and fostering engagement.All finalists will be individually notified via email and sent next step communications.
Determining the Winners
During the first week of August, the 60 Social Health Awards finalists will be reviewed and scored by our finalist judging panel, comprised of industry professionals and experts, to ultimately uncover the ten inaugural Social Health Award winners!Winners will be announced during our virtual conference, Connexion, on August 25 & invited to our in-person celebration at the Digital Pharma East Conference in Philadelphia, on October 19, 2022. Learn more about this year’s prize pack and ceremony.
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for…
Lifetime Achievement
Kristal Kent
Linda Urbanski
Matthew Zachary
Michael Holtz
My Life as an Asthma Mom
Social Health Award Description: Some patient leaders are true stars who continue to shine and don’t fit into just one category. The Lifetime Achievement Award is for the veteran patient leaders, who after years of advocacy achievements, stand as role models for the entire online health community. Let’s recognize the advocacy leaders that inspire all of us year after year!
Healthcare Collaborator
Chisa Nosamiefan
Ella Balasa
Essence Johnson
Global Parents for Eczema Research
Jacobi Cleaver
Parkinson Diva
Social Health Award Description: The Healthcare Collaborator category is for the advocates bridging the gaps between industry stakeholders and healthcare consumers. Whether speaking at conferences, consulting with healthcare companies, or using their experience to help make change in the healthcare industry, these patient leaders are impacting the healthcare landscape at large.
Community Cultivator
April Stearns | WILDFIRE Magazine
Kathy Reagan Young
Kristen Hernandez
Natalie Hayden
Sydney Marshburn
Social Health Award Description: A diagnosis can be life-changing, but fortunately so can the support from an online community. The Community Cultivator category celebrates the online communities or forums that create an inviting space for newcomers while maintaining a safe place that people have come to respect and rely on. Whether through online support groups, live events or forum discussions – these leaders have mastered managing, moderating, and engaging their communities all for the purpose of supporting others.
Advocacy Trailblazer
Frank Rivera
Melissa Talwar (Support Fibromyalgia)
Paula Sojo
RARE
Rare Candace
Tiffany Kairos
Social Health Award Description: The Advocacy Trailblazer category celebrates the patients and caregivers who, despite managing a health condition, manage to push the limits and pave a new path for others on how to educate, raise awareness, and support their fellow community. These are the individuals bringing innovation to advocacy.
Social Media Master
Allison Tennyson
Emma Cooksey
Michaela Davert (FunsizedStyle)
Mrs AP Young
Nikki Drenth Louiselle
The Invisible Hypothyroidism
Social Health Award Description: Whether posting to Instagram, hosting Facebook Lives or stitching the latest TikTok trend, the Social Media Master category recognizes the patients and caregivers leveraging social platforms for advocacy. This individual is sharing their story and fostering community through the use of many or multiple social media channels.
Creative Contributor
Achy Smile | Erica Carrasco
Adriane Dellorco
Amy Grantham
Bob McEachern
Lisa Marie Basile
Tiffany Kairos
Social Health Award Description: There are so many avenues when it comes to patient advocacy. The Creative Contributor category recognizes the individuals taking a creative approach to raising awareness. Think about patient leaders transforming their advocacy into clothing, cards, jewelry shops, comic creation and more! This category celebrates those bringing advocacy to the marketplace.
Rookie of the Year
Chaz Hayden
Frances McInerney
Jackie English
Jennifer Oramas
Jill King
Sydney Marshburn
Social Health Award Description: As anyone in advocacy knows, communities aren’t built overnight! Sharing your story and impacting a community takes time and patience, so let’s encourage those who are recently empowered as patient leaders. The Rookie of the Year category celebrates the advocates who may be new to the scene, but continue to show the utmost potential. This category is typically for patient leaders with 1-3 years’ experience.
Best Team
Angels of Epilepsy Charity & Advocacy
Fibromyalgia Care Society of America
Jason and Maye Jepson
RARE
Run A Myelin My Shoes
Students with Disabilities Advocacy Group at Georgia Southern University
Social Health Award Description: The Best Team category recognizes a team or group that takes their activism to new heights because of the assistance from one another. Whether it be a group that runs an online chat, a non-profit organization, or a caregiver and patient duo – this award celebrates those bringing a team effort to their advocacy!
Revolutionary Researcher
Aaron Blocker
Bob McEachern
Chisa Nosamiefan
Kristal Kent
Lisa Marie Basile
Madison Vital
Social Health Award Description: The category aims to celebrate the patients and caregivers who refuse to let medical jargon and data slow them down! The winner of the Revolutionary Researcher category stays up-to-date on the latest research, treatments, and clinical trials. This patient leader has a knack for transforming complex information into layman terms for the greater community to act on.
Caregiving Champion
Effie Parks
Elle Cole
Jamil Ayinla
Joel Hughes
Roberta Carson
Tonya Henry
Social Health Award Description: Not all patient leaders are sharing their own patient journey. The Caregiving Champion category is for the caregivers who tirelessly raise awareness to better the lives of loved ones. Though they themselves may not be sick, they are the caregivers of children, siblings, parents, significant others, or friends, that have an up-close-and-personal perspective that is invaluable.
Give yourself a round of applause!
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