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The 2003 Henry B. Betts
Award Information

Dick and Ginny Thornburgh establish lectureship with Henry B. Betts award.

THE AWARDS PROGRAM

The Henry B. Betts Award was created by the Prince Charitable Trusts and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in 1989 to annually honor an individual whose work and scope of influence have significantly improved the quality of life for people with disabilities in the past, and will be a force for change in the future. It is named for Henry B. Betts, MD, in recognition of his pioneering leadership in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation and decades of dedicated service to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

In 2001, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), a national membership organization promoting political and economic empowerment of Americans with disabilities, joined with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to collaboratively administer the award program.

One outstanding living individual is selected each year to receive The Henry B. Betts Award. That person receives an unrestricted $50,000 cash award at AAPD's annual Leadership Gala in Washington, D.C. The 2003 Betts laureate will be presented the Award at the Third-Annual AAPD Leadership Gala on March 16, 2004 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.

Since 1989, The Henry B. Betts Award has been presented to individuals who have, in the course of their work, helped to lead the societal transformation that is producing dramatically better outcomes and higher expectations for the diverse groups that make up the disability community in the United States and around the world. Past Laureates include grass roots pioneers Marca Bristo, Judith Heumann, Lex Frieden, Mary Lou Breslin and Fred Fay; medical and rehabilitation pioneers Dr. Ernest Johnson and Dr. Timothy Nugent; scholar Hugh Gregory Gallagher; and international activist Ralf Hotchkiss. Last year, the Award was presented to former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh and National Organization on Disability Vice President and Director, Religion and Disability Program, Ginny Thornburgh. The Thornburghs as a couple have demonstrated more than three decades of extraordinary leadership on behalf of all people with disabilities.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The recipient of The Henry B. Betts Award will be a person* at the pinnacle of his or her career. While the award is not a lifetime achievement award, the recipient must have professional accomplishments over his/her lifetime that justify receipt of the award. Successful nominees will have demonstrated a strong vision and understanding of how to improve the quality of life for Americans with disabilities; possess a record of efforts and accomplishments that have affected a wide disability population; and have served as a powerful force for change, enhancing the opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully in all aspects of society. >

Additional specific criteria for evaluating nominees and selecting the award recipient will be determined each year by The Henry B. Betts Award Committee.

* AAPD and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago strongly encourage potential nominators to nominate a single living individual for the Betts Award. Although last year the Award Committee voted unanimously to consider a couple for the Betts Award, this was an unusual circumstance. In fact, this was the only time in the 13-year history of the Award that the recipient was a couple.

HISTORY

Henry B. Betts, MD has devoted his professional career to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. Dr. Betts joined the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago as an attending physiatrist (a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation) in 1964. He went on to become Medical Director of the Institute, Chair of the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) of Northwestern University Medical School, and eventually president and chief executive officer of the Institute. Dr. Betts has held many leadership board positions on national disability organizations. He continues to be an advocate for disability issues in his current positions as Professor at Northwestern University Medical School, Chairman of The Rehabilitation Institute Foundation, and a member of the AAPD Board's Executive Committee. As a physiatrist, educator, advocate and humanitarian, Dr. Betts has created a legacy that will affect the lives of generations of individuals with disabilities.

By providing recognition to people who have devoted their careers to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities, The Henry B. Betts Award helps to elevate the accomplishments of these individuals and inspire others to learn from their example, and ultimately change attitudes toward people living with disabilities, thereby improving their quality of life.

For this third year in partnership, AAPD and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago look forward to recognizing a new laureate with this unique and prestigious award. Funding for the 2003 Betts Award Program is graciously provided by the Prince Charitable Trusts.

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