The Outstanding Dissertation Award recognizes an outstanding scientific contribution from a doctoral thesis in health services research or health policy in 2022. Dissertations from a wide variety of methodologies are encouraged for nomination, including quantitative, mixed-methods, and qualitative. Judging by the innovative research, this doctoral candidate shows exceptional promise as a health services researcher. The award will be presented at the 2023 Annual Research Meeting and the winner will receive one complimentary registration and one night lodging to the conference.  

2022 Recipient

Shekinah headshot

Shekinah A. Fashaw-Walters, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - Division of Health Policy & Management - University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health

As a health services researcher, Dr. Fashaw-Walters’ program of research focuses on understanding the inequiti... Read Bio


Honorable Mention
Joseph Dov Bruch, Ph.D.
Department of Health Care Policy -- Harvard Medical School

Nomination Timeline

The nomination period is now closed.

Eligibility and Nomination Criteria

  • Nominations must include a copy of the dissertation
    • Variety of methods is encouraged including but not limited to: 
      • Quantitative 
      • Mixed-methods
      • Community-based participatory research 
      • Narrative analysis
      • Data science and analytics e.g., machine learning and data visualization
  • Nominations must include a letter of endorsement from the nominee's mentor, who may also be the nominator
  • A synopsis of the dissertation (no longer than two pages)
  • If applicable, nominations must include a description of the funding source
  • The effective date of the degree awarded, or the completion of doctoral degree requirements and dissertation, must be between December 1, 2021 to January 1, 2023.
  • Self-nominations are accepted
  • Nominees and nominators must be members of AcademyHealth
  • Nominees from minority-serving institutions and individuals from minoritized and historically excluded groups are encouraged. 

Review Criteria

  • Importance of topic
  • Quantity, Breadth, and Quality of Research
  • Importance of Policy Implications of Results
  • Promise as a HSR’er

More Information

For awards related questions, please contact Troi Jones.