Purpose of the Award 

The Frank J. Menolascino Award for Excellence is given annually to honor excellence, extraordinary achievements, and significant contributions in the field of dual diagnosis in the memory of Dr. Frank J. Menolascino.

Criteria for Selection

The Frank J. Menolascino Award for Excellence is given annually to a provider of services to persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs, an academician, a researcher, a legislator, an educator, a communications media specialist, an administrator, a family member, or a person with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

Candidates should support the ideals and mission of NADD, but do not need to be members of NADD in order to be nominated.

The Award may recognize and honor an individual:

• Whose outstanding service and unique efforts have made significant advances in understanding and knowledge in the field ; or
• Whose efforts have called attention to the experience of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions, and consequently enhanced the delivery of services; or
• Whose efforts have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the field of IDD/MH dual diagnosis; or
• Whose efforts have resulted in an improved quality of life for a significant number of persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs
• The Award may recognize and honor a self-advocate or a family member who has made a distinctive and unique contribution through which a significant number of persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental health needs have benefited from an improved quality of life.

Past Recipients

2025 – Susan Havercamp, PhD, FAAIDD, NADD-CC

2024 – Tony Thomas, LISW-S NADD-CC

2023 – Angela Hassiotis, MD, PhD, FRCPsych

2022 – E. Richard Blumberg, PhD

2021 – Daniel Baker, PhD, NADD-CC

2020 – Allison E. Cowan, MD

2019 – Robert J. Fletcher, DSW, NADD-CC

2018 – John McGonigle, PhD

2017 – Donna McNelis, PhD, NADD-CC

2016 – Mark Fleisher, MD, NADD-CC

2015 – Dave Hingsburger, MEd

2014 – Todd Stull, MD

2013 – Julie P. Gentile, MD

2012 – JoAnne Nugent, EdD

2011 – Steven Ruedrich, MD

2010 – Joan Beasley, PhD

2009 – Robert Pary, MD

2008 – L. Jarrett Barnhill, MD

2007 – Earl Loschen, MD

2006 – Chrissoula Stavrakaki, MD, PhD

2005 – Ann R. Poindexter, MD

2004 – John Jacobson, PhD

2003 – Scott Stiefel, MD

2002 – Anne Hurley, PhD

2001 – Johnny Matson, PhD

2000 – Dick Sobsey, EdD

1999 – Jeffery Fahs, MD

1998 – Terrence McNelis, MPA

1997 – Dorothy Griffiths, PhD

1996 – Steven Reiss, PhD

1995 – William Gardner, PhD

1994 – Ludwik Szymanski, MD

1993 – Jack Stark, PhD

1992 – Robert Sovner, MD

Submission Guidelines

All nominations must include:

• Statement (up to 1,000 words) outlining your reasons for nominating the candidate for consideration for this award
• The candidate’s curriculum vitae
• Candidate’s contact information, including name, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address
• Nominator’s contact information, including name, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address

Nominations may be submitted using the form below or by email with all requirements attached to: awards@thenadd.org