Distinguished Alumni Award

BHAA meeting attendee

Dr. Richard Polin (center) with colleagues from the Division of Neonatology and Perinatology

The Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented to “an alumnus or alumna who has received wide recognition for distinguished service to the science or practice of pediatrics or for excellence in public service for the health and welfare of children." Dr. Richard Polin, resident class of 1973, was the 2024 award recipient. Dr. Polin is an accomplished neonatologist, gifted clinician, prominent researcher; he served as director of the Division of Neonatology and Perinatology from 1998 until 2019.

Past Award Recipients

  • 2023: John M. Driscoll, Jr, MD, in memorium presentation
  • 2022: William Speck, MD, New York, NY
  • 2020: Harold Maurer, MD, New York, NY (honored virtually in 2021)
  • 2019: Barbara Stoll, MD, New York, NY
  • 2018: Arnold Gold, MD (posthumously), New York, NY
  • 2017: Fred Bomback, MD, New York, NY
  • 2016: Philip LaRussa, MD, New York, NY
  • 2015: Welton Gersony, MD, New York, NY
  • 2014: Michael Katz, MD, New York, NY
  • 2013: John M. Driscoll, Jr., MD, New York, NY
  • 2012: Robyn Barst, MD, New York, NY
  • 2011: Elaine Abrams, MD, New York, NY
  • 2010: Burton Grebin, MD (posthumously), New York, NY
  • 2009: Sylvia Griffiths, MD, New York, NY
  • 2008: Barbara A. Barlow, MD, New York, NY
  • 2006: Robert B. Mellins, MD, Atlanta, GA
  • 2005: Walter E. Berdon, MD, Washington, DC
  • 2004: Nicholas Cunningham, MD, San Francisco, CA
  • 2003: Anne A. Gershon, MD, New Orleans, LA
  • 2002: John C. Sinclair, MD, Boston, MA
  • 2001: Melvin M. Grumbach, MD, San Francisco, CA
  • 2000: Ruth C. Harris, MD, Chicago, IL
  • 1999: E. Richard Stiehm, MD, Washington, DC
  • 1998: Paul A. di Sant’Agnese, MD, San Francisco, CA
  • 1997: Jerry C. Jacobs, MD, New Orleans, LA
  • 1996: James A. Wolff, MD, Boston, MA
  • 1995: Jerold R. Lucey, MD, San Francisco, CA
  • 1994: William A. Silverman, MD, Dallas, TX
  • 1993: L. Stanley James, MD, Washington, DC
  • 1992: Mary Jane Jesse, MD, San Francisco, CA
  • 1991: R. James McKay, MD, New Orleans, LA
  • 1990: Birt Harvey, MD, Boston, MA
  • 1989: Charles Wood, MD, New York, NY