Awards and Honors

MLA awards and honors recognize individuals who have rendered distinguished service to health sciences libraries and furthered the purposes of health sciences librarianship. Nominations are invited for some awards and honors; for others, qualified individuals may submit papers.

All awards and honors are considered annually and are only given when nominees clearly meet or exceed the requirements.

All MLA awards and honors are listed below. Choose the individual award to view the terms and criteria information, access the online submission form, and view a list of past recipients. Note that receiving an MLA award is considered a member benefit, and MLA membership is required for most awards.

Some MLA awards and honors are funded through financial revenues generated from MLA restricted funds (endowments). To help sustain and develop awards, MLA welcomes your tax-deductible donation to the Awards and Honors Funds.

Unless otherwise noted, the deadline for all nominations, submissions, and supporting documents is November 1. Award recipients are announced in the spring each year. View awards and honors descriptions through the links below.

Contact headquarters with any questions.

List of Awards

New to the Profession

  • Rising Star Program - A one-year leadership development program with a project-based curriculum.
  • Rittenhouse Award - Awarded for outstanding unpublished works in health sciences librarianship or medical informatics.

Mid-Career Professionals

Proven Leader

  • MLA Fellows  - Recognizing MLA members for sustained and outstanding contributions to health sciences librarianship and to the advancement of the purposes of MLA.
  • Honorary Member  - Recognizing nonmembers for sustained and outstanding contributions to health sciences librarianship and to the advancement of the purposes of MLA.
  • Marcia C. Noyes Award - Recognizing a career marked by lasting, outstanding contributions, sustained achievement, and leadership in health sciences librarianship.
  • The President's Award - Recognizing significant contributions in the past year that enhances health sciences librarianship or advances MLA’s objectives.

Organizational Focus

International Focus

  • T. Mark Hodges International Service Award - Recognizing outstanding achievements in improving the quality of health information globally through the development of health information professionals, library improvements, or increased use of health information services.

Chapter & Caucus

Lectureships