NPA Awards

The Marie-Louise Ansak Award was created in 1999 as a tribute to the founder of PACE. The award recognizes the ingenuity, hard work and sacrifice of an individual PACE program employee who has worked to improve the quality of life for one or more frail older persons. Recipients of this award demonstrate unselfishness, originality, innovation and creativity; enhance the PACE program, interdisciplinary team and participants; make a difference in the life of one or more PACE participants; and epitomize the concept of team player. 

List of past recipients.

The Judy Baskins Volunteer Leadership Award was created to recognize volunteer leaders for their significant contributions to NPA. Much of the success of NPA can be attributed to the commitment, passion and inspiration of our volunteer leaders.

When Judy Baskins stepped down as NPA board chair in 2002 after eight years, the NPA Awards Committee decided to present her with the first Volunteer Leadership Award. Subsequently, the award was renamed the Judy Baskins Volunteer Leadership Award in recognition of her exceptional leadership at NPA since its founding in 1994.

Recipients of this award provide outstanding leadership to NPA through participation as a board, committee or task force member or in another leadership capacity; demonstrate commitment to furthering the growth of NPA and PACE; effect positive change in the association; and advocate on behalf of the individuals served by PACE.

List of past recipients.

The NPA Nursing Consortium presents the Outstanding PACE Nurse of the Year Award, which distinguishes an individual who provides and promotes the highest quality nursing care for PACE participants.

This award recognizes a nurse currently employed in a PACE program who embraces and promotes the ideals of PACE, including person-centered care, empowerment of participants and families, and support for the interdisciplinary process; enthusiastically promotes the role of the nurse on the PACE interdisciplinary care team; and contributes significantly to PACE by developing, promoting, and ensuring quality, evidence-based nursing services.

Recipients of this award have at least three years of experience in PACE; provide expert and compassionate nursing care to frail elders; enhance the PACE program, participants and interdisciplinary team; and make a difference in the lives of PACE participants.

List of past recipients.

The DEI Award will honor a PACE organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment, leadership and innovation in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within its operations and the communities it serves. NPA believes that DEI is essential to ensuring an empowered, collaborative and innovative culture that enriches both the experience of PACE participants and the satisfaction and fulfillment of PACE staff.

The award will be presented under the guidance of the NPA Council on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which was established to elevate and address issues of equity and social and racial justice within the PACE community. The council supports PACE organizations in implementing practices that reflect the principles of equity and inclusion and aims to celebrate those who lead the way in these efforts.’

We invite you to submit nominations of PACE organizations that exemplify the values of DEI through meaningful action and measurable impact. Let us honor and amplify the work of those who are helping shape a more equitable future for all.

Please complete the 2025 DEI Award Nomination Form. The submission deadline is Aug. 1.

The NPA Public Service Award was created to recognize public or elected officials from federal, state or local governments. Awards are presented annually at the NPA Spring Policy Forum. To be nominated, individuals must demonstrate a commitment to PACE and the individuals it serves, advocate for the growth and expansion of PACE, and provide leadership on behalf of NPA and its members.

List of past recipients.