Honoring alumni for outstanding merit

The MGH Institute's two alumni awards are open to Institute graduates from all programs. We recognize and honor the impact our alumni are making in the areas of healthcare, leadership, and education with our alumni awards program.

angela has dark brown eyes and hair and raspberry lipstick
2023 Bette Ann Harris '83 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Angela Patterson, DNP ‘16, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP

Bette Ann Harris ‘83 Distinguished Alumni Award

The Bette Ann Harris ‘83 Distinguished Alumni Award, named in honor of the MGH Institute's first degree recipient and Professor Emerita, is the highest form of recognition awarded to a graduate of the IHP. It has been presented annually since 2005.

The Bette Ann Harris Distinguished Alumni Award is open to Institute alumni who have either graduated from one of our post-professional or terminal degree programs OR graduated 10 or more years ago with their first professional degree. Eligibility is also dependent on having demonstrated outstanding leadership, achievement, and service in advancing health care through the professions and in support of the mission of the MGH Institute in one or more of the following ways:

  • Expanding and refining the scientific basis for clinical practice through research and scholarship;
  • Contributing to new models of practice to foster provision of effective, affordable, and ethical health care;
  • Contributing significantly to advancing the mission, reputation, and standards of the MGH Institute.

Greater weight will be given to nominations where the candidate’s background and accomplishments incorporate elements of all three criteria, versus nominations where the candidate excels in only one area.

Nominations are accepted from any source, and sought annually from Institute alumni, faculty, staff, and professional peers. To nominate an individual for any one of these awards, please submit:

  • A letter of recommendation citing specific reasons why the individual is deserving of the award;
  • The nominee’s name, program of study, year of graduation, and complete contact information;
  • The nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae; and
  • OPTIONAL: Up to three (3) optional supporting letters or documentation. Each supporting letter should be no more than two pages long, and at least one of these must come from outside the Institute.

Submit a Nomination

If you would prefer to email or mail your nomination, please download and complete the printable version of the nomination form and send it and the supporting documents to alumni [at] mghihp.edu, or:

Office of Alumni Relations
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Charlestown Navy Yard
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129-4557

The alumni awards are presented each year during Commencement, where the recipients will be invited to join the stage party. Academic regalia will be provided.

Recipients will be notified at least one month prior to Commencement, and are responsible for any travel arrangements. The recipients, along with any personal guests, will be invited to join the stage party at a pre-Commencement luncheon.

Selection Committee
The committee is appointed by the President, and staffed by the Director of Alumni Relations, who will lead/coordinate the committee efforts.

valerie wears braids and has brick red lipstick
2023 Emerging Leader Alumni Award Recipient Valerie Rucker-Bussie, DPT '18

Emerging Leader Alumni Award

The Emerging Leader Alumni Award recognizes the accomplishments of an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership in the professions and the drive to develop innovative, effective, and responsible health care practices. It has been presented annually since 2010.

The award is open to all alumni who have graduated with their first professional degree from any Institute academic program within the past ten years. It will go to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to his/her professional disciplines and/or health care in one or more of the following ways:

  • Implementing innovative models or programs that contribute to advancing the health professions and have the potential to change the health care landscape;
  • Committing to and promoting ethical health care practices in the local and/or global community; or
  • Using their leadership role and skills to advocate for change and advancement while continuing to provide the highest quality of care.

Nominations are accepted from any source, and sought annually from Institute alumni, faculty, staff, and professional peers. To nominate an individual for any one of these awards, please submit:

  • A letter of recommendation citing specific reasons why the individual is deserving of the award;
  • The nominee’s name, program of study, year of graduation, and complete contact information;
  • The nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae; and
  • OPTIONAL: Up to three (3) optional supporting letters or documentation. Each supporting letter should be no more than two pages long, and at least one of these must come from outside the Institute.

Submit a Nomination

If you would prefer to email or mail your nomination, please download and complete the printable version of the nomination form and send it and the supporting documents to alumni [at] mghihp.edu, or:

Office of Alumni Relations
MGH Institute of Health Professions
Charlestown Navy Yard
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129-4557

The alumni awards are presented each year during Commencement, where the recipients will be invited to join the stage party. Academic regalia will be provided.

Recipients will be notified at least one month prior to Commencement, and are responsible for any travel arrangements. The recipients, along with any personal guests, will be invited to join the stage party at a pre-Commencement luncheon.

Selection Committee
The committee is appointed by the President, and staffed by the Director of Alumni Relations, who will lead/coordinate the committee efforts.

Commencement Academic Awards

The Institute's schools and academic departments present awards to graduating students, faculty and clinical instructors, and other members of the Institute community during hooding ceremonies on the weekend before Commencement.