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apple-smHealth Education Professional
of the Year Awards


The American Association for Health Education (AAHE) seeks to recognize those who enrich the depth and scope of health-related activities. AAHE is proud to cosponsor the Health Education Professional of the Year (HEPY) Awards with Tampax Health Education Division, Procter and Gamble.

Awards are given in six categories:

  • Public Schools (K-12)
  • College/University
  • Public/Community Clinical/Medical Care/Patient
  • Business/Industry/Workplace
  • Health Education Administrator

Candidates for each of the awards are solicited from individual AAHE members and the six District Associations of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). Recipients are selected by the AAHE Awards Committee. The awards are presented annually at the AAHE Luncheon held during the national convention.

Qualification of Candidates

  • Previous recipients of awards may not be nominated to receive the same award; how­­ever, a person may be nominated to receive any of the other category awards; one full year must pass between the two formal nominations.
  • Deceased persons are not eligible for nomination for the awards.
  • Members of the AAHE Awards Committee and the AAHE Board of Directors and their families are not eli­gi­ble for nomination while they are serving in said roles.
  • Committee members are not allowed to resign from the Committee in order to be considered for an award.
  • Candidates must have five years of experience in the category where they are applying.
  • A candidate does not have to be a member of AAHE or AAHPERD.
  • Nominees must be practitioners.
  • Each candidate must demonstrate specific contributions in the following criteria:
    • Leadership in developing and implementing or directing/­coordi­nating effective health education/ promotion programs.
    • Volunteer service to local, state, district or national level organizations or at the school or com­mun­ity levels.
    • Service to local, state or national professional organizations.
    • Evidence of meritorious professional activity in at least three of the follow­ing: innovative teaching, publications, presentations, funded research or pro­grams, special projects, or other health related activities.

Guidelines for Nomination of Candidates

  • Individual AAHE members may nominate a colleague using the form located on this website.
  • State AHPERDs may make nominations through the AAHPERD District Associations in the following categories: School K-12, College/University and Health Education Administration. States wishing to make nominations to their respective Districts may use the form located on this website. The completed form is to be sent to Judy Young, Vice President for Programs, AAHPERD, 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1599, by October 15th. District AAHPERDs will send the District nominees to the AAHE national office by December 15th.
  • National award winners will be selected by the AAHE Awards Committee prior to the AAHE/AAHPERD national convention. The awards are presented at the AAHE luncheon. No compensation is provided for the recipients to attend the AAHE/AAHPERD national convention.
  • Attach only one double–spaced sheet in evidence of each criteria. This write–up should follow the brief biographical section.

Application Packet Checklist

  • Application Form with Biographical Information
  • Contributions to Field Criteria (One double-spaced sheet for each)
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Brief Biographical Sketch

Click on one of the following links for more information on AAHE Health Professional of the Year Awards.   

AAHE looks forward to honoring the best of the profession for years to come.

For questions concerning the national level process contact AAHE, 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1599, 703/476-3437, aahe@aahperd.org