
A large part of the mission and vision for the MGH Institute of Health Professions is centered around leadership, especially service leadership. The Office of Student Affairs and Services created the Student Leadership Awards to recognize students and student groups who have exemplified this value through individual and group contributions to the Institute campus and its surrounding communities.
Nomination process:
Nominations open Friday, February 24
Nominations close Friday, March 3
Selection Committee to decide on recipients by Friday, March 10
Notification of all nominees by Friday, March 17
Awards Event Wednesday, March 29
Outstanding Student Leadership Award
Each year, this award recognizes one student who has made exceptional contributions to the Institute and demonstrates an ability to look beyond one’s own needs to improve an aspect of campus life for the IHP community.
- actively employs the ideals of the Institute mission, vision, and core values in all aspects of co-curricular work;
- acts as a lead in a campus project that builds (or will build in the near future) an enhanced sense of community;
- offers creative solutions, and advocates for positive change;
- works to establish co-curricular partnerships and build common ground among students;
- demonstrates genuine care for others by encouraging divergent viewpoints and multiple perspectives; and
- any IHP student who has been at the IHP for at least 1 full semester.
2022: Kana Sakai, MSN ’23 and Corliss Kanasawa, MSN ’22
2021: Alejandra Luna, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, class of 2022, Richard Monari, Communication Science Disorders class of 2021
2020: Alexa McWhinnie, Master of Science in Nursing, class of 2020
2019: Gwendolyn Meredith, Communication Science Disorders, class of 2019

Emerging Leader Award
Each year, this award recognizes one student who has made incredible strides in their growth as a leader.
- represents the core values of the Institute in all co-curricular work;
- participates in experiences that have helped develop their leadership skills;
- inspires and motivates others to become engaged and involved in the life of the campus;
- assumes roles of increased responsibility;
- demonstrates an ability to make an organizational impact from a non-positional leadership position; and
- student in their first year at the institute or involved in a new initiative at the institute and for students who have shown admirable commitment through any organization or any effort on campus.
2022: Scarlett Santos Soto, MSN ’24
2021: Allison Tokar, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, class of 2022
2020: Alejandra Luna, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, class of 2022
2019: Mitchell Kimber, Bachelor of Science Nursing, class of 2019
Innovative Spirit Award
Each year, this award recognizes both an individual student and student group that has embodied the principles of innovation, collaboration, and motivation in the creation of a new, outstanding, interprofessional program or event.
Program was created during the 2022-2023 academic year.
2022: Kanisha Ffriend, MSN ’24
2021: COTAD - the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity and the Student Government Association Community Outreach Committee
2020: Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Open School Chapter
2019: Minorities Engaged in Dialogue and Service
C.A.R.E. (Community, Access, Responsibility, and Engagement) Award
Each year, this award recognizes both an individual student and student group which has made a significant commitment to serving others in the community at large through the lens of addressing health inequities, community health projects, providing healthcare guidance, and focusing on the overall health of the individual and communities.
- provides direct service to individuals in need, provides program oversight, or provides direct assistance to the operations of a service or community agency;
- inspires and motivates others to become engaged and involved in service leadership; and
- has made a significant contribution to an on- or off-campus organization.
2022: SLP students Joseph Deauna, Minsi Sun, Mexian Li, Xhouxhou Wang, and Ashley Victor
2021: No Nominees
2020: Students for Racial Justice in Healthcare
2019: Student Government Association – Community Outreach Committee
“Be the Change” Award
Each year, this award recognizes both an individual student and student group for efforts that have enhanced the campus climate as it relates to race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, culture, socioeconomic status, disabilities, wellness, and more.
- works as an individual and/or a group to demonstrate a commitment to social justice by challenging social inequities;
- actively promotes the IHP core value of creating an inclusive community where every person is treated with dignity and respect; and
- makes a significant contribution to under-represented and/or disadvantaged individuals and communities.
2022: Brianna Abbas, MS-SLP ’22
2021: IHP JEDI Fellows, MEDS - Minorities Engaged in Dialogue and Service
2020: Mental Health Club
2019: KinsIHP – LGBTQ Club
Outstanding IMPACT Award
This award recognizes a group of students that have made an exceptional contribution to the quality of campus life at the MGH Institute over the past academic year.
- has implemented an innovative and interprofessional on- or off-campus project;
- demonstrates exceptional teamwork;
- dedicates quality time to projects, exceeding expectations to ensure an impactful outcome;
- works effectively and efficiently as a team to achieve its mission and objectives, bringing to life the lessons of the Sander IMPACT Practice Center.
2022: Students for Equity and Anti-Racism
2021: Student Occupational Therapy Association
2020: Student Government Association – Facilities Committee
2019: Institute for Healthcare Improvement: Open School Leadership Team