Rising Star Award

Nominations for the Rising Star Award are now OPEN!  If an award recipient(s) is selected, that recipient will be honored during the AACE Awards Celebration held on Thursday, 22 October 2026 during the 2026 International Cancer Education Conference.

The Rising Star Award in Cancer Patient Education recognizes an emerging professional who is making meaningful early-career contributions to cancer patient education. This award honors an AACE member with fewer than 10 years of experience who demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting the needs of patients with cancer, survivors, caregivers, families, and communities.  This award acknowledges individuals who are creating, improving, implementing, sustaining, or disseminating cancer patient education programs, materials, tools, or services. The Rising Star Awards celebrates emerging leaders who are advancing the visibility, quality, accessibility, and value of patient education within healthcare institutions, community settings, academic programs, and professional organizations.

The recipient will receive one complimentary registration to the International Cancer Education Conference (ICEC) and a crystal award in recognition of their achievements. The award recipient is expected to attend ICEC in the year in which the award is given.

Please review the eligibility requirements and selection criteria here. 

Submit a Rising Star Award Nomination Form

Past Winners

Until 2024, the Rising Star Award was given by the Cancer Patient Education Network (CPEN). After CPEN ceased operations at the end of 2024, AACE gladly adopted the award with the blessing of CPEN's former Board members in order to continue this important recognition.

2024: Eleni Giannopoulos, MEd, CCC
2023: Shelly Rosenfeld
2022: Allison Uzzolino
2021: Nicole Liscio, MSc
2020: Maritza Nassif, M.Ed.
2019: Devon Poznanski, MHA
2018: Traci Franklin, MSW, RSW
2017: Jeff Yancey, PhD, MCHES
2016: Jackie Foster, MPH, RN, OCN
2015: Jila M. Tanha, MPH, CHES
2013: Chesley Cheatham, M.Ed, MCHES
2012: Lina Mayorga, MPH, CHES
2011: Becki Brown, MA