Established in 2025 by the board of the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM), the Council of Teaching Hospitals’ (COTH) Program Director of the Year Award recognizes the critical role program directors play in the development of podiatric medical students, residents, and the profession. This national recognition award honors and recognizes professionals who have dedicated their career to teaching and the pursuit of advancing the podiatric profession through educational and volunteer activities.
COTH Program Director of the Year Award
Nomination and Selection Process
About the Award
Purpose
The Program Director of the Year Award is an annual award to recognize one (1) podiatric residency director who has demonstrated that they consistently uphold and raise the standards of podiatric medical education.
Nomination and Selection Process
AACPM, the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS), American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM), American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ACFAS), and the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) will issue a call for nominations in advance of the nomination period.
All nominations are sent to AACPM’s Director, Office of Graduate Services. Nominations will be reviewed, considered, and a selection made by the COTH at their fall meeting. If necessary, the COTH will meet by video conference to make the selection.
The award winner and their nominator will be notified by October 31. The Award will be presented at the following Residency Directors Forum hosted by COTH and the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ACFAS) at the ACFAS Annual Scientific Conference.
The Award winner will receive one (1) complimentary registration for the Forum along with a travel stipend to defray travel and hotel accommodation associated with attending the event.
Eligibility
Nominee must:
- be a current program director for a minimum of one (3) years.
- have direct impact on, and educational oversight of, podiatric medical residents and students.
- demonstrate a significant impact on residents, students, educators, their academic institution, the podiatric profession, and/or the general population.
- have made long-standing contributions to podiatric medical education and demonstrates commitment to podiatric medicine and the profession.
- must demonstrate compassion and leadership in their role as an educator.
- exemplify and encourage podiatric principles in their teachings.
- contribute through volunteerism with its professional organizations.
The nominee’s institution must be a current member of the AACPM Council of Teaching Hospitals (COTH) and the program must not be on probation with the CPME.
Past winners cannot be re-nominated for the same award.
Current members of the COTH may not be considered for the award while on the Council. If nominated, COTH members will be considered for the award after the completion of their COTH terms.
Nomination Requirements
Completed online nomination form – self nominations not accepted.
If nominated, the nominee will be asked to provide a current curriculum vitae or resume that demonstrates their recent body of work supporting podiatric medical education (include current memberships, podiatric or other)
Optional: Supporting documentation in the form of formal commendations, citations or awards, newspaper or magazine articles, or other media-related profiles will be accepted, but will serve only as evidence to support the nomination.