2026 Awards
2026 awards were presented at Convivium, which held at the Squantum Association in East Providence, RI on September 24.
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admin@rimed.org.
Dr. Charles L. Hill Award –
Recognition of Leadership and Service
Established in 1981, this award recognizes a RIMS member physician for leadership and service. Dr. Charles L. Hill, for whom this award is named, was president of the Medical Society 1979-1980. As one of the highest honors bestowed by RIMS, this award celebrates a physician who has made significant contributions to science, education, and/or patient care in Rhode Island, and has substantially advanced the goals of the medical profession. Recipients must demonstrate a significant impact on the medical community, strong character, and leadership with equity and inclusion.
Eligibility: Recipients must be a physician practicing in RI and a RIMS member.
Halifax Award –
Recognition of Outstanding Medical Volunteerism
Given in recognition of outstanding medical volunteerism, the Halifax Award is named in commemoration of the Rhode Island medical and nursing communities’ swift and generous response to the catastrophic explosion that devastated the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the morning of December 6, 1917, causing 11,000 instantaneous casualties, including 2,000 deaths. Recipients of this award demonstrate outstanding citizenship and medical volunteerism, a commitment to serving the public good, and engagement and fostering involvement of physicians in community activities.
Eligibility: All providers, both members and non-members, are eligible for nomination.
Dr. Herbert Rakatansky Award –
Recognition for exemplary professionalism and/or humanitarian service
This award was established by vote of the council in 2008 to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through exemplary professionalism and/or humanitarian service in the field of medicine. The first recipient was Herbert Rakatansky, MD, on September 27, 2008. Recipients of this award exemplify integrity, compassion, and a dedication to improving the lives of others, often in challenging environments or with underserved populations.
Eligibility: All providers, both members and non-members, are eligible for nomination.
Dr. John Clarke Award – Recognition of outstanding civic leadership and service
This award was established in 2014 and is given to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Public Health through outstanding civic leadership and service. It recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on the healthcare landscape in Rhode Island through strong leadership and commitment.
Eligibility: Open to anyone. Both members and non-members, are eligible for nomination. Nominations may also be submitted for individuals outside of the healthcare professions.
Recognition for Humanism in Medicine Award
This award of the Rhode Island Medical Society was established in 2015 and is given for humanism in medicine, in recognition of a career and calling that medicine is at once the most scientific of the humanities in the most humanistic of the sciences. This award honors recipients who exemplify the qualities of care and compassion in the pursuit of patient care and/or teaching and mentorship. Recipients demonstrate the humanistic qualities of the patient provider relationship and serve as an example to others.
Eligibility: All providers, both members and non-members are eligible for nomination.
4 Under 40 Award –
Recognition of Commitment to the Profession
‘4 under 40’ award recognizes Physicians practicing in Rhode Island who are early in their career journeys and demonstrate a strong commitment to the profession and impact on the community. Recipients show leadership in patient care, education, research, and/or advocacy. This award recognizes the impact they have made in Rhode Island and their potential.
4 under 40 – early career (defined as less than or equal to 8 years out of training) can include a Resident or Fellow.
Eligibility: Early career physicians who may be members or non-members.
Awards Committee
The Awards Committee reviews the existing recognition and awards programs and recommends modifications and new programs to the RIMS Board of Directors. RIMS is currently recruiting volunteers from the membership to serve on the committee.
The committee will meet 4-5 times annually via zoom at a time convenient to participants.
Heather Smith, MD, MPH
Chair