2026 Salute to Excellence Nomination Form

  • ABOUT

    ABH's Salute to Excellence is a celebratory day when we recognize individuals and groups, often clinical and direct care staff, who have made outstanding contributions to community-based behavioral healthcare in Massachusetts. This year's celebration will take place at the Boston Marriott Burlington in Burlington, MA. 

    AWARD CATEGORIES

    Review the following award categories and complete this form to nominate a deserving individual or group. To be considered, nominees must be employed by an ABH member organization.

    • Scott M. Bock Force for Change Award (Individuals Only)
      • The recipient must demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing behavioral health and human services through impactful statewide advocacy, including dedicated efforts that are in alignment with ABH’s mission and goals. They actively champion the needs of the workforce and individuals served and demonstrate successful consensus building among stakeholders. The nominee should exhibit the ability to identify system-wide opportunities and challenges, take strategic risks, and mobilize colleagues, partners, and policymakers around shared advocacy goals that strengthen the service delivery system in Massachusetts. 
    • Carl B. Cutchins Award for Children’s Behavioral Health (Individuals Only)
      • This recipient exemplifies outstanding dedication to improving the lives of children and adolescents with behavioral health needs. The nominee is a passionate and active child advocate who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to strengthening, supporting, and enhancing services for youth and families at the state or local level.
    • Elizabeth Funk Emerging Leader Award (Individuals Only)
      • This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional statewide advocacy in the behavioral health field. The recipient has been an outstanding leader across ABH's committees and has spearheaded initiatives among the provider community that have advanced the behavioral health system across the Commonwealth. Through sustained system-level advocacy efforts, this individual has influenced meaningful change, amplified the voices of providers and communities, and strengthened access, equity, and outcomes.
    • Francis O'Brien Award for Substance Use Disorder Services (Individuals Only)
      • This recipient must demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing the mission and goals of the Association for Behavioral Healthcare in the field of substance use disorder treatment and recovery services. The recipient is a dedicated leader and partner who actively supports the work of the association while championing high-quality, accessible care for individuals and families affected by substance use disorders.
    • Advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Award (Individuals or Groups)
      • The recipient must demonstrate a commitment to advancing the integration and prioritization of diversity, equity, inclusion & justice in their organization and/or in the behavioral healthcare system. 
    • Provider Recognition Awards (Individuals or Groups)
      • Recipients show evidence of personal commitment to quality and innovation in their work performance and carry out that commitment in a manner deserving of special recognition in any of the following categories:
        • Excellence in Outcomes: Integration, utilization and management of client outcomes for quality improvement. Outcomes details are required to be included in the nomination. 
        • Excellence in Best Practices: Planning, implementation and on-going integration of best practices
        • Excellence in Program Leadership: Program director/staff who exemplify outstanding leadership qualities
        • Excellence in Administration and Finance: Exceptional management of program/agency/corporate finances and/or operations


    HOW TO NOMINATE

    To nominate someone, please click "Next" below and submit this entire form.

    To view an example of a winning nomination write-up, click here.

  • Nominator Information:

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.

  • Nominee Information:

    If nominating a Group, you must provide the names and contact information for each member.
  • I would like to name a nomination for:*
  • I am nominating an/a:*

  • Name & Contact Information of Nominee(s)

    • If nominating a group please click the arrow to continue below 

    • Please ensure the list of group members is the final, complete list with correct spellings, as this will be used in the event program book if the group is selected. If your list of team members exceeds the available space, please send the remaining names to SaluteToExcellence@abhmass.org. 

  • Describe the Nominee or Group:

    You will be prompted below to describe the Nominee or Group and why they are deserving of recognition. Please be as specific as possible. Successful nominations in the past have included a detailed description and specific supporting examples. See below to view an example of a winning nomination write-up.

  • To view an example of a winning nomination write-up, click here.

  • Should be Empty: