NYSCHA Awards

Professional Awards
     Susan Shearer Award
     Vincent J. Lamparella Award
     Clifford B. Reifler Award
     ACHA Affiliate “New Professional” Award
Student Awards
Awards Timeline

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Professional Awards

SUSAN SHEARER AWARD - This award is being given in honor of Susan Shearer, FNP, to an individual who has demonstrated leadership, dedication and vision for college health in his/her own health service, in NYSCHA, and/or in ACHA.

The NYSCHA Susan Shearer Award was created to honor the memory of Susan Shearer, acknowledging her leadership, dedication and vision for college health on the campus, state and national levels. Susan’s work, beginning at a small private college, had a far-reaching impact upon college health at the national level. Those who knew Susan describe her as a very unique and well-rounded person—a person of vision. She was knowledgeable, friendly, interested in and committed to all aspects of college health.

A 1947 graduate of the United States Cadet Nurse Corps Program at Hartwick College, Susan earned a masters degree in nursing in 1968 from SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Oneonta.

She became a licensed Family Nurse Practitioner in 1977 and was Director of Student Health Services at Hartwick College, 1981-1996. While there, Susan initiated an innovative self-insurance program at Hartwick, unique at its time. She and a colleague were called upon to conduct one of the first Health Service evaluations of another college; their recommendations resulted in many positive changes for that Health Service.

Susan was active in the New York State College Health Association (NYSCHA), serving as President 1978-79. She was also very involved in the American College Health Association (ACHA), serving as associate editor of the American College Health Journal, co-chair of the Task Force for Small College Insurance for ACHA, regional representative and member of the ACHA Board of Directors, consultant for Health Service Evaluation, and member of the Task Force on Management Training Programs for ACHA.

In 1989 Susan was elected to the American College Health Association College of Fellows and was awarded the American College Health Association Hitchcock Award for her outstanding contributions to the field of college and university health.

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VINCENT J. LAMPARELLA AWARD - This award is being given in honor of Vincent J. Lamparella, M.D., 1945-2002, to an individual who has demonstrated leadership, commitment and perseverance in college health in his/her own health service, in NYSCHA, and/or in ACHA.

The NYSCHA Vincent J. Lamparella Award was created to honor the memory of Dr. Lamparella and acknowledge his leadership, dedication and enthusiasm for college health on the campus, state and national levels.

Vincent Lamparella served as NYSCHA President from 1987-1988. Those who knew him extol his exemplary qualities of leadership and perseverance. Dr. Lamparella graduated from LeMoyne College with a BS in Biology and received his MD from Johns Hopkins. He completed a tour of duty in the US Air Force in Hawaii where he served as an officer in general medicine. Upon his return to the States, he accepted a position on the physician staff at the Syracuse University Health Service in 1975. Shortly after his arrival, Dr. Lamparella was made Medical Director and served in that position through 1990.

In the 1980's, when NYSCHA was struggling for leadership, Dr. Lamparella took the helm and planned the 1987 Annual Meeting at the Nevele in Ellenville, NY. In his term as President, NYSCHA gained significant support from other institutions including the University of Rochester, Buffalo State, and Skidmore Colleges. He continued to support NYSCHA after leaving Syracuse University in January, 1991 to pursue his ultimate goal. Dr. Lamparella entered a three-year residency in Psychiatry at the SUNY Health Science Center as an already established physician. He completed the residency, had an active practice and served on the staffs of the SUNY Health Science Center and Veteran’s Administration Hospital. Whenever asked, he would bring his expertise and humor to NYSCHA Annual Meetings - never forgetting his connection to college health.

Dr. Lamparella lived his leadership role everyday at Syracuse University, contributed his talent to NYSCHA when his leadership was needed and had the perseverance to see his own goals realized.

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CLIFFORD B. REIFLER AWARD - This award is being given in honor of Clifford B. Reifler, M.D. to an individual who has demonstrated leadership, commitment and enthusiasm for college health in his/her own health service, in NYSCHA, and/or in ACHA.

The NYSCHA Clifford B. Reifler Award was created to honor Dr. Reifler for his leadership, commitment, and enthusiasm for college health on both the national and state level. Throughout his three decades in college health, Dr. Reifler was an active member of ACHA and NYSCHA. He served as President of ACHA in 1977 and remained active in the organization until his death in 1998. In July 1998, the Journal of American College Health printed tributes from his friends and colleagues in the college health community. His energy, initiative, vision, generosity, forthrightness, high standards, and especially his devotion to college health were common themes.

Before retiring as Director of the University Health Service at the University of Rochester in 1994, he served as the Executive Editor of the Journal of American College Health and President of the American College Health Foundation. Dr. Reifler was the author of numerous articles on college health and college mental health. The Hitchcock and Boynton Awards were given to him in recognition of his service to the field of college health and to ACHA. During his 24 year tenure as Director of the University Health Service at the University of Rochester, Dr. Reifler built the Health Service into an agency that served the entire University with programs in medical care, mental health, and environmental health and safety for both students and employees. Long before they were common components of a college health program, he established a student health advisory committee, which is still an active and viable committee twenty-three years later, and a health education program. Throughout his years at the University of Rochester, Dr. Reifler encouraged and supported his staff to not only attend NYSCHA and ACHA meetings but to become active participants in these organizations.

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ACHA AFFILIATE “NEW PROFESSIONALS” AWARD (To be awarded at the ACHA Annual Meeting) - This award recognizes individuals who are new to the field of college health, and have made significant contributions to their institutions and/or affiliate, and demonstrate the potential for significant and sustained leadership important to the mission of ACHA.

Candidates must be an individual member of ACHA of any discipline (director, administrator, physician, nurse, health educator, mental health, information technology, support staff, others) and must have worked in college health for 3 years or less. Candidates must have made significant contributions to their institution and/or affiliate that have markedly enhanced the field of college health and/or the lives of student consumers.

To nominate someone: Write a letter of nomination and ask a colleague write a letter of support. The letters must be written by another member of the affiliate and/or from the institution where the nominee is employed. Mail all letters tp the NYSCHA President by mid-December. The recommendation will be sent to ACHA and announced at the next ACHA Annual Meeting.

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STUDENT AWARDS - College health staff members have the opportunity to nominate students who have made contributions to the health of their campus and/or to the New York State College Health Association for a NYSCHA Student Award. Criteria for submission of nominations will appear in the NYSCHA newsletter and will be sent to NYSCHA members by e-mail. The deadline for nominations is generally the end of March, with awards announced in May and at the NYSCHA Annual Meeting. Students selected for awards will receive a cash award and registration to the following NYSCHA Annual Meeting.

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NYSCHA Awards Timeline

January:

February/March:

April:

May:

August/September:

October:

November/December:

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