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The College’s Highest Honor

Armond Start Award of Excellence

Established 1997

In honor of one of our founding members, Armond H. Start, MD — who represented the highest of ideals in correctional medicine.

About the Award

The Armond Start Award of Excellence was established in 1997 in honor of one of our founding members, Armond H. Start, MD. Dr. Start represented the highest of ideals in correctional medicine — and the award that bears his name recognizes those who carry them forward.

1997
Established
24
Physicians honored
No. 1
The College’s highest honor
Nomination Criteria

What the award honors

To merit consideration for this prestigious award, nominees should meet one or more of the following criteria — each reflecting a value Armond Start lived by.

Adherence to the highest of professional standards

Start consistently advocated that standards be set and adhered to, and refused to compromise these positions even when they were unpopular.

Unceasing advocacy for better patient care and environments

Start was a leader in demonstrating that one of the roles a physician has in a setting not designed for the delivery of medical care is to advocate for what is in the best interest of one’s patients. Beyond that, he realized that in order to attract and retain qualified health care professionals, the environment they work in must be professionally acceptable.

Adherence to the highest of ethical standards

Start helped to set the tone for modern correctional medicine, beginning with his strong advocacy against requiring physicians to participate in executions. In addition, his role in drafting a professional code of ethics was seminal.

Dedication to research, publication, and training

Start demonstrated his dedication to these activities so that people working in the field would continue to be able to hone their skills.

Policies

Nominations are accepted from ACCP members in good standing. Only ACCP members in good standing are eligible for nomination.

This award may or may not be given each year, depending on the quality of the nominations, at the discretion of the Committee on Nominations.

Nomination Procedures

Nominations are accepted year round. The deadline for consideration for a particular year will be announced in nomination request emails to the membership.

The ACCP Committee on Nominations will review nominations, eliminating those that are ineligible under the policies listed. Valid nominations will be presented with additional information from ACCP records, as appropriate. The Committee’s recommendation will be made prior to the annual meeting and given to the Board of Directors for approval. Winners will be notified in writing of the award.

The Recipients

Honor Roll

The physicians who have received the Armond Start Award of Excellence since 1999.

2025
Michael T. PueriniMost recentMD, FACCP, CCHP-A
2024
Charles D. LeeMD, JD, MBA
2023
Juan (Rudy) NunezMD, FACCP, CCHP-P
2022
Johnny WuMD, FACCP, FACP, CCHP-A, CCPH-P
2021
Rebecca BallardMD, CCHP-P, FACCP
2020
Jeff KellerMD, CCHP-P, FACCP
2019
Todd WilcoxMD, MBA, FACCP, CCHP-P, CCHP-A
2018
Thomas LincolnMD, CCHP-P
2017
Warren FergusonMD
2016
Dean RiegerMD, MPH, CCHP
2015
David ThomasMC, JD
2014
Joe GoldensonMD, FACCP
2013
Michelle Staples-HorneMD, MPH
2011
Lynn SanderMD, FACP
2010
Marc SternMD, MPH, FACP
2009
Steve SheltonMD
2008
Anne SpauldingMD, MPH, FACCP, CCHP-P
2007
Bob GreifingerMD, FACCP
2006
Mike PuisisDO
2005
John MayMD, FACCP, CCHP
2004
Dianne RechtineMD, FACCP
2003
Steven S. SpencerMD
2002
Joseph E. ParisMD
1999
Ronald M. ShanskyMD, MPH
Recognize Excellence

Know a colleague who embodies these ideals?

Nominations are accepted year round from ACCP members in good standing. Help us honor the physicians who uphold the highest standards of correctional medicine.

Submit a Nomination