CPS Awards - Nominations Now Closed

Each year at its Annual Meeting, the Connecticut Psychiatric Society presents awards to deserving CPS members.

  • The award for Service to CPS was instituted in 1988 in memory of Cornelis Boelhouwer, M.D., a former president. Any CPS member who has served the organization in any capacity is eligible.
  • The award for Service to Patients is named in honor of the late Roger Coleman, M.D., who was known for his advocacy for patients in many settings. This is awarded to a member who has demonstrated the exemplary devotion to patient care and the commitment to quality.
  • The CPS Rising Leader Award celebrates the achievements of a CPS member who is a rising leader and has made a significant impact on both the Society and the advancement of psychiatry and of mental health care in the state.

A fourth award, known as the Distinguished Citizen Award, is designated for legislators and other public officials, advocates for people with mental illness, and others who have contributed to activities that benefit patients.

Nominations for these awards must be received at the CPS Executive Office by midnight, April 24, 2024. Please include as much information as possible about your nominee. Names of previous awardees are listed below.

Service to CPS

In memory of Cornelis Boelhouwer, M.D., the “Service To CPS” award is presented to a CPS member who has made significant contributions to CPS that brings credit and honor to the organization and whose actions best exemplify the ideals of CPS.

  • 2023 - Katherine G. "Kiki" Kennedy, M.D.
  • 2019 - Melissa Welby, M.D.
  • 2018 - Carrie Rand-Anastasiades 
  • 2017 - Sherrie Sharp, M.D.
  • 2016 - John de Figueiredo, M.D.
  • 2015 - Ted Zanker
  • 2014 - Carolyn Drazinic, Charles Dike, Reena Kapoor
  • 2013 - Shaukat Khan, John Santopietro
  • 2012 - Charles Dike, M.D.
  • 2011 - Paul Desan, M.D.
  • 2010 - Ameet Lamba, M.D. (posthumous)
  • 2009 - Victoria M. Dreisbach, D.O.
  • 2008 - Ellen R. Fischbein, MD
  • 2007 - John de Figueiredo, M.D.
  • 2006 - Michael A. Norko, M.D.
  • 2005 - Harold I. Schwartz, MD

Service to Patients

In memory of the late Roger Coleman, M.D., who was known for his advocacy for patients in many settings. This award is presented to a member who has demonstrated exemplary devotion to patient care and a commitment to quality.

  • 2019 - Tichianaa Armah, M.D.
  • 2018 - Michael A. Norko, MD, MAR 
  • 2017 - Maya Prabhu, M.D., Aniyizhai Annamalai, M.B.B.S.
  • 2016 - Paul Desan, M.D.
  • 2015 - Susan Savulak, M.D.
  • 2013 - Volunteers who served the needs of the Newtown Community
  • 2012 - Manage Nissanka, M.D. 
  • 2011 - Dr. Cynthia Conrad
  • 2010 - Velandy Manohar, M.D.
  • 2009 - Howard V. Zonana, M.D.
  • 2007 - Steven M. Southwick, MD
  • 2006 - John L. Young, M.D.
  • 2005 - Jerzy E. Henisz, MD
  • 1998 - Roger Coleman, M.D.

Distinguished Citizen

Designated for legislators and other public officials, advocates for people with mental illness, and others who have contributed to activities that benefit patients.

  • 2019 - U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy
  • 2018 - Sen. Edward Kennedy, Jr. 
  • 2013 - Victoria Veltri
  • 2010 - Madelon Baranoski, Ph.D.
  • 2009 - U.S. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd
  • 2008 - Sen. Jonathan Harris
  • 2007 - Kevin Lembo

Rising Leader Award 

  • 2018 - Falisha Gilman, M.D. 

APA Awards 

APA Awards recognize psychiatrists and other mental health advocates for their contributions to the APA and the field of psychiatry, for career recognition, lifetime service, outstanding research, and other categories that improve the lives of people with mental illness.

Search APA full list of awards below. Use the key word bar to search for terms like "Research," "Teaching," "DEIB," "APA Assembly Awards," "Child & Adolescent Psychiatry," and more.

View All APA Awards

Bruno Lima Award 
Recognizes outstanding contributions of District Branch members to the care and understanding of the victims of disasters. Contributions have included designing disaster response plans, providing direct service delivery in time of a disaster, or in disaster consultation, education, and/or research.

  • 2012 - Theodore Zanker, M.D.
  • 2007 - Ellyn Shander

Ron Shellow Award
Honors a retiring APA Assembly representative who, embodies the spirit of the Assembly.

  • 2007 - Ellyn Shander