Awards

Women's Health DPG Awards - Nominations - Applications

Coming Soon! Watch this space in February 2026 to apply for 2025-2026 Awards Applications.

Award recipients receive a cash award and certificate, and will be recognized on the WH DPG website, in WH DPG electronic communications, and/or at the upcoming FNCE®.

Excellence in Practice Award – This $500 award recognizes a DPG member who has exhibited outstanding service, dedication and/or innovation to the field of women’s health and nutrition.

Excellence in Research Award – This $500 award recognizes a DPG member who has contributed to the field of women’s health nutrition via research investigations, publications, and/or presentations.

Emerging Professional Award – This $250 award recognizes a member of the DPG who has exhibited interest and initiative in the area of women’s health.

Outstanding Student Award – Two $250 awards will recognize student members of the DPG who have exhibited outstanding service, leadership and accomplishment during their studies.

Please consider applying yourself or nominating a qualified candidate!

Applications for the 2024-2025 Awards closed on May 15th, 2025. The deadline for the 2025-2026 Awards will be announced here shortly.

2024-2025 Winners

Excellence in Practice in Women's Health

Ginger Cochran, MS, RDN, CDCES, CEP-ACSM

Anastasia Schepers, MS, RDN, CDN, CLC

Emerging Professional in Women’s Health

Michelle Eck, MS, RDN, LDN

Outstanding Student in Women’s Health

Claire Larkins, MSND, RD

Callie Laubacher, MS, RDN, LDN

2023-2024 Winners

  • Excellence in Practice in Women’s Health - Rachelle LaCroix Mallik, MA, RD, LDN
  • Excellence in Research Award - Lisa H. Akers, PhD, RDN, IBCLC, RLC, FAND, FILCA
  • Emerging Professional in Women’s Health - Alex Gardner, MPH, RDN, LDN, CLC, CHES
  • Outstanding Student in Women’s Health - Maryam K. Muhammad and Paige Courtier

2021-2022 Winners

  • Excellence in Practice in Women’s Health -Val Schonberg, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, NCMP, FAND

  • Emerging Professional in Women’s Health -  Kanisha Neal, RD, CLEC, Birth Doula

  • Outstanding Student in Women’s Health - Zul Franchesca Panganiban

2022-2023 Winners

  • Excellence in Practice in Women’s Health - Christie Naze, RDN, LD, CDCES

  • Emerging Professional in Women’s Health - Jeani Hunt-Gibbon, MS, RD, CDN

  • Outstanding Student in Women’s Health - Lily McNair, PSM, RDN 

2020-2021 Winners

  • Excellence in Practice in Women’s Health - Megan McMillin, MS, RDN, CSP, LDN, IBCLC
  • Emerging Professional in Women’s Health -Trisha Cousins EdD, RDN, LDN
  • Outstanding Students in Women’s Health - Hannah Burgoon

2019-2020 Winners

  • Excellence in Practice in Women’s Health - Mara Vitolins, DrPH, MPH, RDN
  • Emerging Professional in Women’s Health - Melissa Groves, RDN
  • Outstanding Students in Women’s Health - Jeani Hunt-Gibbon and Manisha Pise 

2018-2019 Winners

  • Excellence in Practice in Women’s Health - Jean Tiffany Cox, MS, RD, LN
  • Emerging Professional in Women’s Health - Lauren Manaker MS, RDN, LD, CLEC

2017-2018 Winners

  • Excellence in Practice in Women’s Health - Helen Lane, PhD, RD
  • Emerging Professional in Women’s Health - Kendra Tolbert, MS, RDN, CLC, CDN

2016-2017 Winners

  • Excellence in Practice in Women’s Health - Lisa Akers, MS, RDN, IBCLC, RLC, FAND (Video)
  • Emerging Professional in Women’s Health - Traci Briant Causey, MS, MBA, SNS
  • Outstanding Students in Women’s Health - Lee Crosby (Video) & Leila Shinn (Video)