In January 2023, as part of its response to the Facing Our History – Building an Equitable Future initiative findings, ASHG suspended the use of individual names for all of its professional awards, pending review of any affiliation with eugenics or other harms. Until decisions are made about a naming policy and practice, ASHG’s professional awards have only descriptive titles. While that review occurs, this award will be referred to as the Leadership Award. Formerly, it was the Victor A. McKusick Leadership Award.
This prestigious award established is presented on behalf of the Society to an individual whose professional achievements have fostered and enriched the development of various human genetics disciplines. Potential recipients should exemplify the enduring leadership and vision required to ensure that the field of human genetics will flourish and successfully assimilate into the broader context of science, medicine, and health. They also may have made major contributions to awareness or understanding of human genetics by policy makers or by the general public. The awardee will receive a plaque and a monetary award of $10,000 at the Society’s Annual Meeting and it is customary to publish a manuscript of the presentation in The American Journal of Human Genetics.