Health Policy and Administration Awards | Penn State College of Health and Human Development

Chris Calkins, executive director of MHA programs, talks to students in classroom

The following awards and recognitions are given on behalf of the Health Policy and Administration Department during the spring semester at the Annual Stanley P. Mayers Endowed Lecture.

Association of University Programs in Health Administration’s Foster G. McGaw Scholarship

The AUPHA Foster G. McGaw Award is given to undergraduate students in HPA who have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and have the potential to make an impact of the health care industry. HPA faculty nominate students for the award which are then reviewed by the awards committee.

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The Mockingbird Award in Memory of William H. Denton

The Mockingbird Award is given in memory of William H. Denton, an HPA student who passed away in January 2018. The Mockingbird Award recognizes students in HPA who have served as a role model for the Penn State community by engaging in activities that improve the welfare of others and who promote the welfare of others by increasing awareness or enhancing the understanding of a social injustice. Both Residential and World Campus students are eligible.

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Francis Hoffman Writing Award

Faculty and/or students may nominate any paper written by any undergraduate student in the Summer 2021, Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 for the award. Papers can include any paper written for a class, chapter of a thesis, article submitted for publication, or other forms of professional writing. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations should be sent to Tom Knarr.

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Marshall Raffel Senior Showcase in HPA

The Marshall Raffel Senior Showcase in HPA consists of five categories: Team Based Project, Research, International Experience (Study Abroad), Internship, and Policy.

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Jennifer S. Cwynar Award

The Jennifer S. Cwynar Community Achievement Award recognizes community achievement by a Department of Health Policy and Administration student in the College of Health and Human Development who has demonstrated service and commitment to a community or an underserved population(s), preferably, but not exclusively, in a rural area of Pennsylvania.

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Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society

The National Honor Society of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) recognizes students who achieve distinction in healthcare management and policy studies or individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the health profession. Students should have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and minimum of 7th semester standing (includes IUG students). HPA students that meet this criteria are recognized.

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HPA Internship Preceptor(s) of the Year

The Preceptor of the Year Award is given to a preceptor who is nominated by their intern during the duration of their internship. Recipients are reviewed and chosen by the HPA Professional Development team.

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HPA APG Emerging Professional Award

The Affiliate Program Group (APG) nominates undergraduate and graduate HPA students for the emerging professional award. Students are chosen based on various factors including, but not limited to faculty recommendations, GPA, internship/fellowship preceptor recommendations and demonstrating the qualities of a promising leader in the healthcare field.