The Russell G. Mawby “People Helping People” Award

Following Dr. Mawby’s passing in 2017, a group of grateful individuals raised support to establish an award program in his honor. The Russell G. Mawby “People Helping People Award” is given every other year to an individual leader or to their organization in recognition of ongoing contributions to the health and well-being of communities. The first recipients of the award were Paul Farmer who pioneered community based health approaches across the world, and Jim Yong Kim, a physician and anthropologist who served as the 12th President of the World Bank. 

“You always come down to the basic reality, that in the final analysis in life, only people are important, only people make a difference. Any organization, any institution, is a consequence of the people who are involved in it, and its creation, and in its ongoing existence.” ~ Russell G. Mawby

The 2023 Mawby award will focus on contributions in the areas of public health, health equity and in community service that leads to more secure health opportunities for children and families. A distinguished selection committee will review nominations received from around the world and the 2023 recipients will be announced in October. Finalists will be given a cash award and featured on a national podcast highlighting their work. Nominations will open in late Spring 2023. Follow this page for additional information.

Nominations are due May 1-July 28, 2023. The award is scheduled to be presented in conjunction with the International Leadership Association Conference in October, 2023.

Self nominations are permitted.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION – Please prepare a nomination narrative covering the three topics below using no more than 1000 words.

1) Provide a synopsis of the nominee’s leadership contributions that exhibit his/her ability as an effective agent of change in promoting the common good in the areas of public health, health equity and in community service that leads to more secure health opportunities for children and families.

2) What are the nominee’s most notable achievements?

3) How has this nominee served as a mentor, role model, or made any other significant contributions to community action and/or the field of practice of leadership?