Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award, formerly known as the Copher Award, is the highest honor the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics bestows on one of its members. The Award honors an Academy member who has contributed to the profession through extensive, active participation and service to the profession of nutrition and dietetics, both within and outside of the Academy. The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award is someone whose unique contributions have created new opportunities for registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered; inspired others to take on leadership roles; and promoted the Academy's mission, vision and goals.

View Nomination Tips and Guidance (PDF).

Qualifications

1. A member of the Academy.
2. Has demonstrated extensive Academy leadership and involvement at national, state and district levels.
3. Has recognized professional competence in nutrition and dietetics practice such as:
   • writing (author, editor, etc.)
   • scientific research
   • management
   • education
   • clinical, community and/or legislative advocacy
4. Has been a source of inspiration to other members to assume leadership roles.
5. Has been a trailblazer for the profession, such as created new opportunities for dietitians or technicians.
6. Has contributed uniquely to the advancement of the profession and/or promoted the Academy's mission, vision and values.
7. Has demonstrated devotion to the high standards of the profession.

Scoring Criteria

1. Academy leadership as evidenced by Academy participation and contribution at the national, state, dietetic practice and member interest (DPG/MIG) groups and district/local levels. (40 points total)
   • Academy National elected/appointed positions (20 points)
   • State/District and/or DPG/MIG elected/appointed positions (20 points)
2. Professional excellence in nutrition and dietetics practice, such as publications (peer reviewed, books, book chapters), communications media savvy (websites, newspapers, TV, blogs, social networks), evidence-based guidelines/protocol development and dissemination (management, education, clinical, community). (16 points total)
   • Publications (8 points)
   • Communications media (3 points)
   • Evidence-based guidelines/protocol development and dissemination (5 points)
3. Source of inspiration to other members to become advocates for dietetics and nutrition professionals and the profession at all levels of society (i.e., mentoring students or peers, inviting presentations within and outside the Academy, advocating public policy through legislative or regulatory activism). (15 points total)
   • Student or peer mentoring or preceptor for dietetics interns/students (5 points)
   • Invited presentations (5 points)
   • Public policy: legislative/regulatory activism (5 points)
4. Sphere of influence that extends beyond that of the Academy and has contributed to expansion of opportunity for other members of the profession, as evidenced by service and leadership in appointment or election to non-governmental or governmental groups that impact nutrition and dietetic practice; national or global advocacy on issues germane to food, nutrition, health and the essential role of dietetics and nutrition professionals; membership in relevant professional associations beyond the Academy — "a widely recognized voice for the profession"; the reception of national and/or international professional recognition from colleagues, organizations, schools or colleges. (37 points total)
   • Appointment or election to non-Academy governmental or non-governmental panels, commissions, committees, organizations, societies that impact dietetic practice (17 points)
   • National or global advocacy on issues germane to food, nutrition, health and the essential role of dietetics and nutrition professionals (10 points)
   • National or international professional recognition (10 points)
5. Advanced the profession and/or promoted the Academy's mission, vision and values through demonstrated devotion to the high standards of the profession. (10 points total)