2026 Award Nominations

Nominations for IAER 2026 Awards are open! 

Please consider nominating a colleague for their dedication and hard work! 

Information for the Community Partner, Excellence in Education, Excellence in Rehabilitation, and the Illinois Distinguished Service awards is provided within the forms. Award recipients will be recognized at the IAER luncheon.

All nominations and letters of support must be received by December 15, 2025. Please submit nominations and any questions to Sara Edwards at loveisblind0511@gmail.com

IAER 2026 Community Partner Award Nomination Form

2026 IAER Individual Award Nomination Form

Previous award winners

Illinois Excellence in Education Award

2002 – Irene Taube

2003 – Ginger Irwin

2004 – Martha Wynn

2005 - Lisa McDaniel

2006 – Sharon Swiercz

2007 – Naomi Hershman

2008 - *No awards given – International Conference

2009 – Danette Johnson

2010 – Deborah S. Faynik

2011 – Shirley Dale

2012-

2013- Susan Sullivan

2014-

2015-

2016- Allyssa Harpst

2017- Kirstin Peahl

2018- Mary Ellen Drobnik

2019- Pam Golden

2020- Wendy Brusich

2021- Beverly Eisenhut

2022- Carol Otten

2023 - Robert “Bob” Chada

2024- 

Illinois Excellence in Rehabilitation Award

2002 – Sue Stealey

2003 – R. Tracy Williams, O.D.

2004 – Sharon McBride

2005 – Virgina Mosler

2006 – Nancy Johnson

2007 – Latisha Houston

2008 – *No awards given – International Conference

2009 – Dawn Turco

2010 – Polly Abbott

2011 – Alvin Roberts

2012-

2013- Daniel Smith

2014-

2015-

2016- Scott Smith

2017- No recipient nominated

2018- Jared Bozigian

2019- No recipient nominated

2020- No recipient nominated

2021- No recipient nominated

2022- No recipient nominated

2023 - Sue Dalton

2024- 

Illinois Distinguished Service Award Recipients

1988 – Dr. Richard Umsted

1989 – Leslee Williams

1990 – Dr. Derrald Taylor

1991 – Judy Holmes

1993 – Dr. Toni Heinze

1994 – Milton Samuelson

1995 – Dr. Evelyn Rex

1996 – Laurel Burmen

1997 – Gala Brooks

1998 – Alice Post

1999 – Dr. Gaylen Kapperman

2000 – Barbara Hunt

2001 – Peggy Madera

2002 – Jodi Sticken

2003 – Trudy Diepholz

2004 – James Kesteloot

2005 – Pam Duda

2006 – Carol Otten

2007 – Susan M. Dalton

2008 – *No awards given – International Conference

2009 – Michelle Clyne

2010 – Mary Zabelski

2011 – Jan Harrell

2012-

2013- Diane Finn

2014-

2015- George Abbott

2016- Jenna Sticken

2017- Sean Tikkun

2018- Pat Hall

2019- Joyce Strother

2020- Serena Preston

2021- No recipient nominated

2022- Molly Dunne

2023 - Amy Lund

2024 - 

Illinois Community Partner Award Recipients

2019- Dave Prasczewicz and Target

2020- No recipient nominated

2021- Northern IL NOAH

2022- No recipient nominated

2023 - Kay McKeen/SCARCE & Schaumburg SD #54

2024 - Brookfield Zoo