This award is given in memory of Deborah L. Wilkerson, former ACRM president and fellow. Deborah was devoted to improving the quality of rehabilitation and independent living services. She demonstrated a commitment to person-centered services and served as a powerful advocate for individuals with disabilities.
This award is made possible through the generous support of Deborah’s friends, family, and colleagues through the Deborah L. Wilkerson Memorial Fund. Make a donation and support this important Early Career award.
Current Award Recipient
Current Winner Adam Kinney, PhD, OTR/L
Investigator
VA Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) , Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center
Eligibility
- Candidate must be within five years of completion of training (doctoral program, residency, fellowship, or equivalent).
- Candidates must have made significant contributions to rehabilitation research during their early career work.
- Candidate does not need to be employed within a Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, but must be conducting rehabilitation research.
- Candidate must be a current member of ACRM.
- Candidate must attend the current year’s ACRM Annual Conference.
- The candidate does not need to be the lead author on all papers submitted as part of the application process, but must be the lead author on at least one of the papers submitted.
- Members may self-nominate.
- One award recipient is provided for each award. No one person may receive two awards in one year.
- Multiple nomination files will not be entertained for multiple award nominations. Only the first submission will be recognized.
- All award nominees must not have received an award within the last three years.
Nomination Requirements
- Nomination letter must include nominee contact information, including name, email address, and phone number.
- A statement of approximately 500 words outlining the nominee’s research accomplishments in rehabilitation.
- Three letters of support written by ACRM members, separate from the nominator’s letter. Letters should be emailed to Terri Compos, Community Relations Manager.
- Three to five peer-reviewed publications. Manuscripts that have been accepted but not yet published are acceptable, as well as those already in print.
- A current CV for the nominee.
- Demonstration of service to ACRM, although not a required criterion, will be considered in review of the application. It is advantageous to discuss any such service in the application statement.
