Awards Programs
Every year, the IAIABC confers awards upon committed, dedicated, and unique individuals and organizations who are making positive contributions to workers' compensation and working to fulfill the mission of the IAIABC.
NextGen Awards
IAIABC NextGen launched in 2017 as a way to recognize talented young professionals who are having a substantial and positive impact on workers' compensation, making significant difference withins their organizations, and leading the industry into the future.
As the workers' compensation industry ages and workplaces change through technology and globalization, there is no better time to support the development of the leaders of today and tomorrow.
2021 NextGen Nominations
IAIABC NextGen Award nominations will be open March 1 - May 14, 2021.
Nominate an Individual for an IAIABC NextGen Award
Selection Criteria
- The individual has a substantial, positive impact on their organization and/or the workers’ compensation industry.
- The individual sets themselves apart from others through their professional and personal achievements, accomplishments, dedication, contributions, and impact.
Nominators are asked to provide as much detailed and specific information as possible about the nominee's achievements and accomplishments and why they are deserving of an IAIABC NextGen Award.
Nomination Requirements
- Nominee must be age 39 or under as of December 31, 2021.
- Nominations must be received by May 14, 2021 for consideration for the 2021 NextGen Award.
- Nominees cannot self-nominate.
- Nominees must work in the workers' compensation industry.
- Nominees do not need to work for an IAIABC member organization.
- Nominee has not already received an IAIABC NextGen Award. They may have been previously nominated.
Note to Nominators
- The nomination submitted is the sole basis used to determine who will receive a NextGen Award. Please be thoughtful in articulating what makes the individual a worthy candidate.
- Nominators are asked to provide as much detailed information as possible about why the nominee is deserving of an IAIABC NextGen Award, including both objective metrics and examples and subjective rationale.
- Nominations are appreciated by the IAIABC, and hopefully also by the nominee. Their work is honored through their nomination. The IAIABC will be notifying all nominees of their nomination once nominations are closed.
Categories
To make comparisons between nominees more balanced and equitable, nominees will fall into one of two categories:
- Jurisdiction: Nominee works for a governmental organization (state, province, country) that regulates and administers that jurisdiction's workers' compensation laws.
- Private Sector Industry: Nominee works for a non-governmental organization that does business in the workers' compensation industry.
Recognition
IAIABC NextGen Award winners will be:
- Invited to participate as a speaker during a NextGen discussion at the IAIABC 107th Convention in the fall of 2021.
- Be eligible to receive a complimentary registration to the IAIABC 107th Convention.
- Featured in a special edition of IAIABC Perspectives, the IAIABC digital magazine.
- Featured on the IAIABC website on the home page and Awards webpage
- Recognized in many other ways!
Please share the Information Sheet with those who may be interested in nominating someone for an IAIABC NextGen Award.
Nominate an Individual for an IAIABC NextGen Award
2020 Recipients
Congratulations to recipients of the 2020 IAIABC NextGen Awards! During what has been an undeniably challenging year, these professionals rose above and had meaningful impact on their organizations and the workers' compensation industry.
The IAIABC congratulates the 2020 recipients:
Erin Bishop
Alternative Dispute Resolution Supervisor, Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission
James “Jay” Hicks
Ombudsman Attorney, Tennessee Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
Amy Kingston
Manager of Claims and Insurance Programs, Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation
Jed Magid
Compliance Manager, Gallagher Bassett
Megan Nelson
Analytics Consultant, Gallagher Bassett
Grace Ray
WellSky
2020 IAIABC NextGen press release
Previous Recipients (2019, 2018, 2017)
President's Awards
The annual President’s Awards honor those who demonstrate commitment and achievement in reducing harm and aiding recovery from occupational injuries and illnesses.
2020 Recipients
President's Award
Rafael Gonzalez, Partner, Cattie & Gonzalez
In recognition of your dedicated scholarship of workers’ compensation law. Through your work, professionals around the world deepen their knowledge and understanding of workers’ compensation systems.
Frances Perkins Award
Dato' Sri Dr. Mohammad Azman Aziz Mohammed, Chief Executive, Social Security Organization of Malaysia
For following in the footsteps of Frances Perkins, U.S. Secretary of Labor and IAIABC President, who was a role model for innovation and progressive leadership in workers' compensation and social security.
International Collaboration Award
Phil Germain, CEO, Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board
In recognition of your outstanding efforts “In improving the working conditions of the masses.” ~ Samuel Gompers, 1916
Samuel Gompers Award
John Howard, Director, NIOSH
In recognition of your outstanding efforts “In improving the working conditions of the masses.” ~ Samuel Gompers, 1916
Award of Merit
Raji Chadarevian, Director of Medical Regulation and Informatics, NCCI
For outstanding contribution of leadership, commitment, and professional talent in furthering the goals of the IAIABC.
Associate Member Award of Merit
Lisa Anne Bickford, Government Relations Director, Coventry
For outstanding contribution of leadership, commitment, and professional talent in furthering the goals of the IAIABC.
Outstanding Achievement in EDI
Monica Blackwell, Senior Professional Services Consultant, Mitchell | Genex
For outstanding contribution and commitment to the development of IAIABC Electronic Data Interchange standards for workers’ compensation reporting.
Excellence Award
The IAIABC Excellence Award recognizes jurisdictions for the development of successful solutions to reduce harm and aid recovery from occupational injuries and illnesses. These solutions address policy and program challenges jurisdictions face while regulating and administering workers' compensation. Solutions could include specific programs, policies, initiatives, or projects that seek to improve worker and employer outcomes or ease administrative burdens.
Applications for the 2020 IAIABC Excellence Award will open in April 2020. The IAIABC thanks WorkComp Strategies for sponsoring the Excellence Award.
2019 Recipient
The IAIABC recognized the New York State Workers' Compensation Board with the 2019 IAIABC Excellence Award for their virtual hearings center.
New York's Virtual Hearing Center eases the burden of travel for injured workers, and gives workers, employers, and attorneys the option of appearing at hearings remotely in a secure, reliable, and convenient manner. Each year, the New York State Workers' Compensation Board conducts approximately 275,000 workers' compensation hearings statewide, with many hearings lasting less than 10 minutes long. Through extensive stakeholder training and buy-in as well as significant investments in administrative changes and technology, the Board has conducted over 209,000 virtual hearings since 2017, at a 45% virtual participation rate.