NAMS recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of women's health, menopause

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Society's 2015 awards that recognize outstanding contributions to the field of women's health and menopause. The recipients will be acknowledged during the NAMS 26th Annual Meeting, in Las Vegas, NV, from September 30 through October 3, 2015.

With the NAMS/Thomas B. Clarkson Outstanding Clinical and Basic Science Research Award, NAMS honors JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH, NCMP. One of the most-cited researchers in clinical medicine, she is well known for her leadership of clinical trials in menopause and midlife women's health, such as the Women's Health Initiative trials and the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study, and she is also a leading investigator in research on prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

For the tools they use every day to assess and manage their patients' bone health, menopause clinicians can thank Michael R. McClung, MD. Well known as an educator who translates research into practical approaches to diagnosis and treatment for clinicians, this internationally recognized osteoporosis expert is the recipient of the NAMS/Leon Speroff Outstanding Educator Award.

Two outstanding clinicians are being honored for exceptional service to their patients and to the community at large: Lois J. McGuire, RN, WHNP, NCMP, and Diana L. Bitner, MD, NCMP. Ms McGuire is the recipient of the NAMS/Ann Voda Community Service Award, which recognizes a NAMS member who has demonstrated outstanding community service. For outstanding service to her patients, Dr. Bitner is named the NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner (NCMP) of the Year.

Recognizing a consumer media professional whose body of work has expanded the knowledge and understanding of menopause, NAMS is honoring New York Times health and science writer Pam Belluck the NAMS Media Award. In just the past year, her stories have brought timely and important information to women on hot flashes, breast cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.

Isaac Schiff, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Menopause, selected "Association between the vaginal microbiota, menopause status, and signs of vulvovaginal atrophy," as the best paper published in the Society's journal in 2014. For that, lead author Rebecca M. Brotman, PhD, MPH, is receiving the NAMS/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Best Paper of the Year Award.

"I had the privilege of serving as the NAMS Awards Committee Chair this year," says Lisa C. Larkin, MD, FACP, NCMP. "In that role, I had the opportunity to review all of the nominations submitted and to learn of the diverse and important contributions these leaders are making to advance our field. This year's recipients have all made enormous contributions.

"I would also like to congratulate the recipients of the NAMS/Pfizer Medical Resident, Fellow, and DNP-in-Training reporter program; the New Investigators; and the Kerber scholarship recipient," she added.