Surgical Infection Society – Awards
Joseph Susman Memorial Award
Dedicated to the Science and Art of Surgical Infection Control, the Surgical Infection Society hereby presents the JOSEPH SUSMAN MEMORIAL AWARD. A meritorious honor to be awarded annually to the author of the most significant manuscript presented in Surgical Infection. Awardee may not be eligible for additional awards.
This Award was established by the Susman family in memory of Joseph Susman, who died from a surgical wound infection on June 23, 1979. Joseph Susman was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on September 13, 1913. He was married to Ethel Susman for 42 years; and was co-owner and president of a home-building firm in Los Angeles that was affiliated with Sears, Roebuck and Company. Those who knew him through business will remember that he lived by a personal code of honor that required steadfast commitment to a sound work ethic. Those who knew him as a friend will remember his sense of humor and his generosity. His family will remember that he was affectionate and sentimental. As an expression of their love for him, his children, Carol Laskey and Gerald Susman, PhD, together with their mother and immediate families, wish to have the JOSEPH SUSMAN MEMORIAL AWARD dedicated to research for the reduction of deaths from post-operative infection.
Sawyer Award
The Sawyer Award is a new award to trainees to:
- be recognized for their outstanding abstract submission, and
- network with members of the society with particular interest in mentoring.
Named in recognition of Past-President Robert Sawyer’s substantial and long-lasting commitment to mentoring surgical trainees in surgical infections research, this award reflects a core value of the SIS – the mentorship of future leaders in surgical infectious disease research.
Best Overall
Awarded to the top abstract presented at the SIS Annual Meeting, selected for exceptional scientific quality, innovation, and potential to advance the field of surgical infections.
Eligibility: This award is open to anyone selected to present as one of the top 10 abstracts of the meeting.
Award Timing: The award is presented during the annual meeting of the Surgical Infection Society.
Criteria for Winning: Candidates are judged on the quality and originality of their abstract submission, presentation, discussion, and potential to contribute to the field of surgical infectious disease research. The selection emphasizes not only the scientific merit of the abstract but also the commitment to the mission of the Surgical Infections Society.
Best Non-Doctorate Award
Recognizes outstanding research presented by a trainee who has not yet earned an advanced health-sciences degree, highlighting excellence and potential in early-career investigators.
Eligibility: This Award is open to scholars who have not yet obtained a healthcare professional
degree. Eligible candidates include:
- High school or college students
- Medical, Pharmacy, and/or PhD students
- Advanced practice provider (PA or NP) students
Award Timing: The award is presented during the SIS Annual Meeting
Criteria for Winning: Candidates are evaluated based on the scientific quality of their submitted abstract, the effectiveness of their podium presentation, and their ability to engage with and respond to audience questions during the presentation.
New Member Award
- The New Member Award recognizes the best abstract submitted by a member who has joined SIS for the first time.
- The abstract may be presented by the new member’s mentee.
- It is intended to encourage and reward early engagement with the Society by new
members.
Authors of the top 3-5 abstracts accepted for the current year annual meeting from new members of the Surgical Infections Society (Active Membership for less than 24 months) will be selected as finalists for the New Member Award.
Following the meeting all finalists will be asked to prepare and submit for review a draft manuscript based on this work prior to the SIS Annual Meeting. This draft manuscript may subsequently be finalized and submitted for publication to the journal of the authors’ choice.
Manuscripts and meeting presentations will be reviewed and scored by members of the Awards Committee. The New Member Award winner will be announced at the SIS Annual Meeting Awards Banquet.
Best in Class Awards
These awards are to recognize the scientific achievements of those participating in the scientific meeting. The academic efforts of our membership and participants are a large part of what powers the engine behind our society’s ability to advance the care of surgical infections. This award is intended to recognize the importance of commitment to advancing surgical infectious disease research, which benefits our patients.
Best Clinical Science Award
Awarded to the top clinical research presentation addressing patient-centered outcomes, infection prevention, or treatment strategies in surgical patients.
Eligibility: An award will be given to the presenter of the outstanding abstract in each category presented at the SIS Annual Meeting. The award is open to all who are actively involved in surgical infections research and who will personally present their work at the meeting. Winners of other awards will not be eligible.
Award Timing: The award is presented during the SIS Annual Meeting. Criteria for Winning: Candidates are judged on the quality and originality of their abstract submission, presentation, discussion, and potential to contribute to the field of surgical infectious disease research. The selection emphasizes not only the scientific merit of the abstract but also the trainee’s commitment to advancing in this challenging field.
Best Basic Science Award
Recognizes excellence in basic laboratory or mechanistic research that deepens understanding of the pathophysiology of surgical infections.
Eligibility: An award will be given to the presenter of the outstanding abstract in each category presented at the SIS Annual Meeting. The award is open to all who are actively involved in surgical infections research and who will personally present their work at the meeting. Winners of other awards will not be eligible.
Award Timing: The award is presented during the SIS Annual Meeting. Criteria for Winning: Candidates are judged on the quality and originality of their abstract submission, presentation, discussion, and potential to contribute to the field of surgical infectious disease research. The selection emphasizes not only the scientific merit of the abstract but also the trainee’s commitment to advancing in this challenging field.
Best Translational Science Award
Honors the best work bridging laboratory findings with clinical application, advancing translational insights in surgical infection research.
Eligibility: An award will be given to the presenter of the outstanding abstract in each category presented at the SIS Annual Meeting. The award is open to all who are actively involved in surgical infections research and who will personally present their work at the meeting. Winners of other awards will not be eligible.
Award Timing: The award is presented during the SIS Annual Meeting. Criteria for Winning: Candidates are judged on the quality and originality of their abstract submission, presentation, discussion, and potential to contribute to the field of surgical infectious disease research. The selection emphasizes not only the scientific merit of the abstract but also the trainee’s commitment to advancing in this challenging field.
Best Innovation Award
Presented for novel concepts, technologies, or methodologies that have the potential to transform prevention, diagnosis, or management of surgical infections.
Eligibility: An award will be given to the presenter of the outstanding abstract in each category presented at the SIS Annual Meeting. The award is open to all who are actively involved in surgical infections research and who will personally present their work at the meeting. Winners of other awards will not be eligible.
Award Timing: The award is presented during the SIS Annual Meeting. Criteria for Winning: Candidates are judged on the quality and originality of their abstract submission, presentation, discussion, and potential to contribute to the field of surgical infectious disease research. The selection emphasizes not only the scientific merit of the abstract but also the trainee’s commitment to advancing in this challenging field.