Keeper of the Flame Award

 

Established in 2018, the Keeper of the Flame Award recognizes exceptional individuals whose work has advanced evidence-based addiction medicine and its translation into clinical practice. Recipients exemplify the integration of scientific discovery, clinical excellence, and leadership in the field of addiction medicine. Effective prevention and treatment of substance use disorders has long been delayed due to ignorance, stigma, competing health care and commercial influences, and the lack of sufficient physician involvement.

The significance of the flaming torch, also incorporated into ACAAM’s symbol, is the light of science and expert clinical practices. The person receiving this award embodies one who works toward advancing these practices.

Award Recognition

The recipient will receive a personalized award and be invited to provide recorded acceptance remarks during the Annual ACAAM Awards Recognition Event.

Past Award Recipients

The Keeper of the Flame Award honors individuals whose work has advanced evidence-based addiction medicine and its clinical application.

2026: Anthony "Tony" L. Schlaff, MD MPH 

2025: Yngvild K. Olsen, MD MPH 

2024: Richard Saitz, MD MPH FACP DFASAM (Posthumous Award) | Family Acceptance Remarks

2023: June S. Sivilli, MA, Sr. Public Health Advisor, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

2020: Martha J. Wunsch, MD, Founder and Director, Addiction Medicine Consultation- Liaison Service, Kaiser San Leandro Hospital; President, American College of Academic Addiction Medicine (2020-2021); Co-Editor, Journal of Addiction Medicine 

2019: George F. Koob, PhD, Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and Nora D. Volkow, MD, Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)