Rising Star Award

Applications for the Rising Star Award are now closed. Applications for 2025 were due no later than 14 July 2025. If an award recipient(s) is selected, that recipient will be honored during the AACE Awards Celebration held on Thursday, 9 October 2025 during the 2025 International Cancer Education Conference.

The Rising Star Award recognizes an AACE member who serves in a patient education role and has fewer than 10 years of experience. This individual demonstrates commitment to advancing the field of cancer patient education and/or is dedicated to supporting the needs of patients and caregivers. The award acknowledges the educator's effort in creating and/or sustaining cancer patient education programs. The Rising Star Award promotes the visibility and value of patient education within healthcare institutions, communities, and/or professional organizations. This award comes with one free ICEC registration. Applications are now closed.

 
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