EXPLORE
TOS Past Award Honorees
View the Award Honorees Archive to learn more about past recipients and their impactful contributions to obesity science, and discover how The Obesity Society’s awards promote, reward, and encourage excellence in obesity research and service.
The Jules Hirsch Innovation Award
2025 – 2022
| 2025 | Michele Patel, PhD |
| 2024 | Pasquale Rummo, PhD |
| 2023 | Anna H. Grummon, PhD |
| 2022 | Mary Ellen Vajravelu, MD |
Pediatric Obesity Section Alison Field Early-Career Award for Excellence in Research in Pediatric Obesity
2025 – 2024
| 2025 | Cody Neshteruk, PhD |
| 2024 | Katherine Balantekin, PhD |
Atkinson Stern Award for Distinguished Public Service
2024 – 2006
| 2024 | Richard L. Cleland, JD |
| 2023 | Sarah Hampl, MD |
| 2022 | Griffin P. Rodgers, MD, MACP |
| 2021 | Alice Ammerman, DrPH |
| 2020 | Susan Yanovski, MD, FTOS |
| 2019 | Gary Foster, PhD, FTOS |
| 2018 | Barry M. Popkin, PhD, FTOS |
| 2016 | William Dietz, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2015 | Louis J. Aronne, MD, FTOS |
| 2014 | Martin Binks, PhD, FTOS |
| 2013 | Donna A. Donato |
| 2012 | Theodore K. Kyle |
| 2011 | Robert F. Kushner, MD, FTOS |
| 2010 | Kelly D. Brownell, PhD |
| 2008 | Nanci Hellmich |
| 2007 | President Bill Clinton & The Clinton Fdn. |
| 2006 | Richard L. Atkinson, MD, FTOS |
| 2006 | Judith Stern, ScD, FTOS |
Ehealth/Mhealth Section Pioneer Award for Excellence
2018 – 2012
| 2018 | Delia West, PhD, FTOS |
| 2017 | William T. Riley, PhD |
| 2016 | Lora Burke, PhD |
| 2016 | Deborah Tate, PhD |
| 2015 | Donna Spruijt-Metz, PhD |
| 2014 | Sherry Pagoto, PhD |
| 2013 | Bonnie Spring, PhD |
| 2012 | Wendy Nilsen, PhD |
The George L. Blackburn Award for Excellence in Obesity Medicine
2024 – 2018
| 2024 | Victoria Catenacci, MD |
| 2019 | Donna H. Ryan, MD, FTOS |
| 2018 | Samuel L. Klein, MD, FTOS |
George A. Bray Master’s Thesis Award
2024 – 2015
| 2024 | Amanda Finn |
| 2023 | John Kincaid, MPhil, MS |
| 2021 | Megan Parker |
| 2020 | Katherine McNitt |
| 2019 | Cara Ruggiero |
| 2018 | Meghan Byrne |
| 2017 | Monica Saumoy, MD |
| 2016 | Lisa Shank |
| 2015 | Michele Lanpher |
George A. Bray Doctoral Dissertation Award
2024 – 2015
| 2024 | Kaja Falkenhain, PhD |
| 2023 | Paige Cunningham, PhD |
| 2022 | Armando Peña, PhD |
| 2021 | Sally Eagleton, PhD |
| 2020 | Katherine Arlinghaus, PhD |
| 2019 | Anna Kahkoska, PhD |
| 2018 | Ted Hsu, PhD |
| 2017 | Kristin Hoddy, PhD |
| 2016 | Amber Alhadeff, PhD |
| 2015 | Cynthia Kroeger, PhD |
George A. Bray Founders Award
2024 – 2002
| 2024 | Jeffrey Zigman, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2023 | Caroline Apovian, MD, FTOS |
| 2022 | Nikhil Dhurandhar, PhD, FTOS |
| 2021 | Patrick O’Neil, PhD, FTOS |
| 2020 | Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD, FTOS |
| 2019 | Michael D. Jensen, MD, FTOS |
| 2018 | Deborah Tate, PhD |
| 2017 | Diana Thomas, PhD, FTOS |
| 2016 | Steven B. Heymsfield, MD, FTOS |
| 2015 | Samuel L. Klein, MD, FTOS |
| 2014 | Gary Foster, PhD, FTOS |
| 2013 | Donna H. Ryan, MD, FTOS |
| 2012 | James O. Hill, PhD, FTOS |
| 2011 | Eric Ravussin, PhD, FTOS |
| 2010 | Barbara J. Rolls, PhD, FTOS |
| 2009 | Thomas A. Wadden, PhD, FTOS |
| 2008 | Claude Bouchard, PhD, FTOS |
| 2007 | Barbara E. Corkey, PhD, FTOS |
| 2006 | Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD, FTOS |
| 2005 | Diane Finegood, PhD |
| 2005 | William Dietz, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2004 | David York, PhD, Emeritus |
| 2003 | Barbara Hansen, PhD, FTOS |
| 2002 | Van Hubbard, MD, PhD, FTOS |
Xavier Pi-Sunyer Award
2025 – 2025
| 2025 | Kevin Williams, PhD, FTOS |
Tops Research Achievement Award
2024 – 2006
| 2024 | Daniel Joshua Drucker, MD |
| 2023 | Leanne Redman, PhD, FTOS |
| 2022 | Ismaa Sadaf Farooqi, PhD |
| 2021 | Steven R. Smith, MD, FTOS |
| 2020 | John Speakman, PhD, DSc, FTOS |
| 2019 | Dympna Gallagher, Ed.D, FTOS |
| 2018 | Michael Rosenbaum, MD |
| 2017 | Christos Mantzoros, MD |
| 2016 | Roger Cone, PhD |
| 2015 | Andrew Greenberg, MD |
| 2014 | Michael Goran, PhD |
| 2013 | Stephen O’Rahilly, MD |
| 2012 | Thomas A. Wadden, PhD, FTOS |
| 2011 | Samuel L. Klein, MD, FTOS |
| 2010 | Michael D. Jensen, MD, FTOS |
| 2009 | David B. Allison, PhD, FTOS |
| 2008 | Walter J. Pories, MD, Emeritus |
| 2007 | James O. Hill, PhD, FTOS |
| 2006 | Eric Ravussin, PhD, FTOS |
| 2005 | Robert Eckel, MD, FTOS |
| 2004 | Richard Bergman, PhD |
| 2003 | Steven Heymsfield, MD, FTOS |
| 2002 | Robert Jeffery, PhD |
| 2001 | Rena R. Wing, PhD, FTOS |
| 2000 | J.P. Flatt, PhD, Emeritus |
| 1999 | George A. Bray, MD, Emeritus |
| 1998 | Claude Bouchard, PhD, FTOS |
| 1997 | J. Friedman, MD, PhD |
| 1996 | Rudolph L. Leibel, MD |
Research in Diverse Populations Section Shiriki Kumanyika Diversity and Disparities Leadership Award
2018 – 2015
| 2018 | Kari North, PhD |
| 2017 | Sara N. Bleich, PhD |
| 2015 | Jose Fernandez, PhD, FTOS |
Clinician of the Year Award for Excellence in Clinical Management of Obesity
2024 – 2015
| 2024 | W. Scott Butsch, MD, FTOS |
| 2023 | Ania M. Jastreboff, MD, PhD |
| 2021 | Louis Aronne, MD, FTOS |
| 2020 | Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, MBA, FTOS |
| 2017 | Scott Kahan, MD, MPH, FTOS |
| 2016 | Robert Kushner, MD, FTOS |
| 2015 | Eileen L. Seeholzer, MD, MS |
Presidential Medal of Distinction
2024 – 2014
| 2024 | José Fernández, PhD, FTOS |
| 2024 | Alison Field, ScD, FTOS |
| 2024 | Tiffany Powell-Wiley, MD |
| 2023 | Barbara Rolls, PhD, FTOS |
| 2023 | Rena Wing, PhD, FTOS |
| 2022 | Patricia Nece, JD |
| 2022 | Eric Ravussin, PhD, FTOS |
| 2021 | Barbara Corkey, PhD, FTOS |
| 2021 | F. Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD, FTOS |
| 2021 | Shiriki Kumanyika, PhD, FTOS |
| 2020 | Roxane Gay |
| 2020 | Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA |
| 2020 | Rudolph L. Leibel, MD |
| 2019 | Barbara Hansen, PhD, FTOS |
| 2019 | Van Hubbard, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2018 | Walter J. Pories, MD, Emeritus |
| 2017 | The Honorable Erik Paulsen |
| 2017 | The Honorable Ron Kind |
| 2016 | The Honorable Tom Carper |
| 2016 | The Honorable William Morgan Cassidy |
| 2016 | Joseph Nadglowski |
| 2015 | Jules Hirsch, MD |
| 2014 | George A. Bray, MD, FTOS |
| 2014 | The Honorable Claire McCaskill |
| 2014 | Eric Colman, MD |
| 2014 | John Oliver |
Pediatric Obesity Section Oded Bar-Or Award for Excellence in Pediatric Obesity Research
2024 – 2007
| 2024 | Deanna Hoelshcer, PhD |
| 2023 | Susan L. Johnson, PhD |
| 2022 | Myles Faith, PhD, FTOS |
| 2021 | Aaron Kelly, PhD, FTOS |
| 2020 | Angelo Pietrobelli, MD |
| 2019 | Jennifer Fisher, PhD |
| 2018 | Denise Wilfley, PhD, FTOS |
| 2017 | Shiriki Kumanyika, PhD, FTOS |
| 2016 | Dianne Stanton Ward, EdD, FTOS |
| 2015 | David Ludwig, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2014 | Mary Story, PhD |
| 2013 | Jack Yanovski, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2012 | Thomas Robinson, MD, FTOS |
| 2011 | Nancy Butte, PhD |
| 2010 | Leann Birch, PhD, FTOS |
| 2009 | Michael Goran, PhD |
| 2009 | Melinda Sothern, PhD, FTOS |
| 2008 | William Dietz, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2007 | Leonard Epstein, PhD |
Clinical Practice Section Practitioner of the Year Award for Excellence in Clinical Care and Management of Obesity
2025 – 2024
| 2025 | Karlijn Burridge, MMS, PA-C |
| 2024 | Michelle Cardel, PhD, FTOS |
LILLY/TOS Mid-Career Scientific Achievement Award
2018 – 1999
| 2018 | Rebecca Puhl, PhD, FTOS |
| 2017 | Matthew Hayes, PhD |
| 2016 | Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, PhD, FTOS |
| 2015 | Dongsheng Cai, MD |
| 2014 | Rachel Batterham, MD, PhD |
| 2013 | Corby K. Martin, PhD, FTOS |
| 2012 | Kevin D. Hall, PhD |
| 2011 | Lora K. Heisler, PhD |
| 2010 | Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD, FTOS |
| 2009 | Martin G. Myers, Jr., MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2008 | Andrew A. Butler, PhD |
| 2007 | Matthias Tschöp, MD |
| 2006 | Christos Mantzoros, MD |
| 2005 | Jacqueline Stephens, PhD, FTOS |
| 2004 | Antonio P. Tataranni, MD |
| 2003 | Randy J. Seeley, PhD |
| 2002 | David B. Allison, PhD, FTOS |
| 2001 | Michael Goran, PhD |
| 2000 | X |
| 1999 | Jean-Pierre Despres, PhD |
Ethan Sims Young Investigator Award
2024 – 1987
| 2024 | Vicky Pavlou, MS |
| 2024 | Eunsang Hwang, PhD |
| 2023 | Justine Mucinski, PhD |
| 2023 | Cody Neshteruk, PhD |
| 2022 | Sophia Hua, PhD, MPH |
| 2022 | Matthew J. Landry, PhD, RDN |
| 2021 | Leah Schumacher, PhD |
| 2021 | Kripa Shankar, PhD |
| 2020 | Sandrine Chometton, PhD |
| 2020 | Amanda Crandall, MS |
| 2019 | Amber Alhadeff, PhD |
| 2018 | Samantha Fortin, PhD |
| 2018 | Alissa Smethers, PhD |
| 2017 | Emily Noble, PhD |
| 2016 | Jodi Nettleton, PhD |
| 2015 | Vance Albaugh, MD, PhD |
| 2014 | Ceren Ozek, PhD Candidate |
| 2013 | Elizabeth Mietlicki-Baase, PhD |
| 2012 | Scott Kanoski, PhD |
| 2011 | Michael J. Krashes, PhD |
| 2010 | Elisa Fabbrini, MD, PhD |
| 2009 | Henriette Kirchner, PhD |
| 2008 | Matthew Hayes, PhD |
| 2007 | Joan Han, MD |
| 2006 | Diana Williams, PhD |
| 2005 | Daniela Cota, MD |
| 2004 | James Trevaskis, PhD |
| 2003 | Stella Kim, PhD |
| 2002 | William Yancy, Jr., MD |
| 2001 | Kirsten Davison, PhD |
| 2000 | Karyn Catalano, PhD |
| 1999 | Scott Commins, MD, PhD |
| 1998 | Shadi Monemdjou |
| 1997 | Antonio P. Tataranni |
| 1996 | David Cummings |
| 1995 | R.C. Frederick |
| 1994 | Koji Fukagawa |
| 1993 | Olivier Deriaz |
| 1992 | Catherine Kotz, PhD |
| 1991 | Chu-Lian Chen |
| 1990 | Hillary J. Dowling |
| 1989 | Magda M. Hennes |
| 1988 | Raffaele Carraro |
| 1987 | Michael Rosenbaum, MD |
Friends of Albert (Mickey) Stunkard Lifetime Achievement Award
2024 – 2000
| 2024 | Samuel Klein, MD, FTOS |
| 2023 | Susan Fried, PhD, FTOS |
| 2022 | Thomas Wadden, PhD, FTO |
| 2021 | David Allison, PhD, FTOS |
| 2020 | Rena Wing, PhD, FTOS |
| 2019 | Mary Story, PhD |
| 2018 | June Stevens, PhD, FTOS |
| 2017 | Eric Ravussin, PhD, FTOS |
| 2016 | Dale Schoeller, PhD, FTOS |
| 2015 | Thorkild I.A. Sorensen, MD |
| 2014 | Richard Atkinson, MD, FTOS |
| 2013 | Steven N. Blair, FTOS |
| 2012 | John G. Kral, MD, PhD |
| 2011 | Barry M. Popkin, PhD, FTOS |
| 2010 | Van Hubbard, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2009 | George L. Blackburn, MD, PhD, Emeritus |
| 2008 | Constantine Londos, PhD |
| 2007 | Lars Sjöström, MD, PhD |
| 2006 | Jules Hirsch, MD |
| 2005 | Theodore Van Itallie, MD |
| 2004 | Claude Bouchard, PhD, FTOS |
| 2003 | George A. Bray, MD, FTOS |
| 2002 | Elliot Danforth, Jr., MD, Emeritus |
| 2001 | Mario DiGirolamo, MD, Emeritus |
| 2000 | Xavier Pi-Sunyer, MD, FTOS |
Thomas A. Wadden Award for Distinguished Mentorship
2024 – 2015
| 2024 | Leah Whigham, PhD, FTOS |
| 2023 | Lee Kaplan, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2022 | Christina Roberto, PhD |
| 2021 | Leanne Redman, PhD, FTOS |
| 2020 | Barry M. Popkin, PhD, FTOS |
| 2019 | Jack Yanovski, MD, PhD, FTOS |
| 2018 | Rena Wing, PhD, FTOS |
| 2017 | David B. Allison, PhD, FTOS |
| 2016 | Harvey J. Grill, PhD |
| 2015 | Thomas A. Wadden, PhD, FTOS |
Awards for Outstanding Journal Articles
Published in Obesity
2012 – 2007
| Year | Category | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Best Researcher | Sara N. Bleich, Wendy L. Bennett, Kimberly A. Gudzune, and Lisa A. Cooper | “Impact of Physician BMI on Obesity Care and Beliefs” |
| 2012 | Best Researcher | Ruth B.S. Harris | |
| 2012 | Best Reviewer | Wei Shen, MD | |
| 2011 | Best Researcher | Zhen Pang, Nancy N. Wu, Weiguang Zhao, David C. Chain, Erica Schaffer, Xin Zhang, Preeti Yamdagni, Vaseem A. Palejwala, Chunpeng Fan, Sarah G. Favara, Holly M. Dressler, Kyriakos D. Economides, Daniel Weinstock, Jean S. Cavallo, Souad Naimi, Anne-Marie Galzin, Etienne Guillot, Marie-Pierre Pruniaux, Michael J. Tocci, and H. Greg Polites | “The Central Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor Is Required for Diet-Induced Obesity and Rimonabant’s Anti-Obesity Effects in Mice” |
| 2011 | Best Researcher | Teri L. Hernandez, John M. Kittelson, Christopher K. Law, Lawrence L. Ketch, Nicole R. Stob, Rachel C. Lindstrom, Ann Scherzinger, Elizabeth R. Stamm, and Robert H. Eckel | “Fat Redistribution Following Suction Lipectomy: Defense of Body Fat and Patterns of Restoration” |
| 2011 | Best Reviewer | Gladys Strain, PhD | |
| 2010 | Best Researcher | Yuji Yamamoto, Stephane Gesta, Kevin Y. Lee, Thien T. Tran, Parshin Saadatirad, C. Ronald Kahn | “Adipose Depots Possess Unique Developmental Gene Signatures” |
| 2010 | Best Researcher | Takeshi Yoneshiro, Sayuri Aita, Mami Matsushita, Toshimitsu Kameya, Kunihiro Nakada, Yuko Kawai, Masayuki Saito | “Brown Adipose Tissue, Whole Body Energy Expenditure, and Thermogenesis in Healthy Adult Men” |
| 2010 | Best Reviewer | Penny Gordon-Larsen, PhD | |
| 2009 | Best Researcher | Bradley Appelhans, PhD, and Richard E. Pratley | “Neurobehavioral Inhibition of Reward‐Driven Feeding: Implications for Dieting and Obesity” |
| 2009 | Best Researcher | Thomas A. Wadden PhD, Delia S. West PhD, Rebecca H. Neiberg MS, Rena R. Wing PhD, Donna H. Ryan MD, Karen C. Johnson MD, John P. Foreyt PhD, James O. Hill PhD, Dace L. Trence MD, and Mara Z. Vitolins DrPH | “One‐Year Weight Losses in the Look AHEAD Study: Factors Associated With Success” |
| 2009 | Best Reviewer | Jacqueline M. Stephens, PhD | |
| 2008 | Best Researcher | Yong-Ho Lee, William G. Tharp, Rhonda L. Maple, Saraswathy Nair, Paska A. Permana, and Richard E. Pratley | “Amyloid Precursor Protein Expression Is Upregulated in Adipocytes in Obesity” |
| 2008 | Best Researcher | Vincent Aguirre, Nicholas Stylopoulos, Ronit Grinbaum, and Lee M. Kaplan | “An Endoluminal Sleeve Induces Substantial Weight Loss and Normalizes Glucose Homeostasis in Rats With Diet‐Induced Obesity” |
| 2008 | Best Reviewer | Anthony Fabricatore | |
| 2007 | Basic Science | Kylie Kavanaugh | |
| 2007 | Clinical Science | Shelly S. Tworoger | |
| 2007 | Population Science | Susan I. Barr |