Nominations Now Open for the 2026 ABA Awards
Sunday, September 28, 2025
The American Burn Association (ABA) Annual Awards Program is now accepting submissions to recognize excellence in burn care, prevention, and research. These awards honor individuals and organizations whose work has advanced the field and improved the lives of patients and families affected by burn injury.
Award recipients will be celebrated at the 2026 ABA Annual Meeting, April 14–17, in Orlando, Florida. This year’s program includes long-standing awards, fellowships, and a new award category recognizing nursing leadership in burn care.
Award Categories
ABA Nursing Leadership Award (New in 2026)
Recognizes exceptional burn nurses who demonstrate outstanding clinical expertise, compassionate care, leadership, and commitment to advancing burn care. The ABA Nursing Committee reviews applications.
Burn Prevention Award
Honors an organization that has demonstrated a wide-reaching impact in preventing burn injuries. Prevention activities may operate at the local, regional, statewide, or national level and should demonstrate meaningful outcomes through community partnerships.
Eligibility Highlights:
Only the lead organization may apply (partner organizations are welcome, but the award is presented solely to the lead).
Once a program has received the award, it cannot be resubmitted unless new and significant work has been completed.
Cheryl Jordan Scholarship
Supports a non-physician burn team member in visiting and learning from an ABA-verified burn center. The award honors Cheryl Jordan, an occupational therapist and ABA Board of Trustees member who was instrumental in burn rehabilitation and deeply committed to peer-to-peer learning. The Membership Advisory Committee reviews applications.
Curtis P. Artz Distinguished Service Award
One of ABA’s highest honors, this award recognizes an individual whose career has been marked by exceptional service and leadership in burn care.
History Manuscript Award
Presented by the ABA Archives Committee, this award recognizes a manuscript focused on a historically significant event, person, or scientific advance in burn care or the ABA’s development. Eligible manuscripts must be submitted to the Journal of Burn Care & Research during the annual call for award nominations.
Traveling Fellowship Program
Supports newer burn surgeons in expanding their knowledge and skills. Fellows receive funding to spend one week at one or more ABA burn centers, gaining deeper clinical insights and advancing their professional growth.
Key Dates and Submission Information
Deadline for nominations: Monday, December 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT
Submit here: ABA Awards Submission Portal
Additional information about other ABA awards, such as Leadership and Research Paper Awards, is available at the link above. Notifications for Research Paper Award eligibility will be sent to accepted abstract presenters in November 2025.
Why Nominate?
These awards are more than individual recognition, they highlight the achievements, innovation, and compassion that strengthen the entire burn care community. Nominations showcase the collective commitment to advancing patient outcomes, prevention, education, and research. Celebrate excellence. Share stories of impact. Submit a nomination today.
Be Part of the ABA Community
The ABA awards program is one way ABA celebrates those shaping the future of burn care. Membership offers even more opportunities to connect, learn, and contribute to the field.
Questions? Contact info@ameriburn.org.