Purpose
The Robert L. Moody Prize recognizes distinguished
contributions in acquired brain injury rehabilitation and research.
The award is named after Mr. Robert L. Moody, whose sustained personal
dedication has created a legacy of clinical accomplishment in rehabilitation
education, service and research.
The purpose of the award is to recognize and honor
individuals or groups whose efforts have made significant contributions
(1) toward advances in acquired brain injury clinical research, (2) toward
developing improved treatment and rehabilitation procedures for persons
who must contend with the disabilities associated with acquired brain disorders,
and (3) toward increasing awareness of the need for the rehabilitation
of individuals following acquired brain injury.
For purposes of reviewing and awarding the Prize,
the term acquired brain injury includes cerebrovascular insults
(strokes, hemorrhages, aneurysms, and anoxic encepalopathies from cardiopulmonary
arrests) and traumatic brain injuries.
The prize builds awareness of the significant
public health implications of acquired brain injury, and aims to increase
national and international awareness of the need to expand research and
improve treatment for persons who have experienced brain injury. It is
hoped that the prize will provide an incentive for future initiatives in
research, rehabilitation, advanced education or public awareness.
Description of the Prize
The prize consists of an honorarium of $10,000,
a suitably inscribed plaque that commemorates the award, and a framed certificate
signed by the members of the governing board. Presentation of the
award will be made at a suitable time and location publicized at least
six months in advance by the governing board. Ordinarily, this will consist
of a public ceremony with invited dignitaries from the scientific community
and the lay public, and members of the press. The award recipient may be
invited to make a short presentation to those attending which describes
the work on which the award is based.
Nomination and Selection Procedures
The Moody Prize is a juried award. A panel
of experts that has been chosen by the governing board will review nominations.
These must be submitted in the manner and form approved by the board. The
panel of experts will recommend award candidates to the board for final
consent. A majority vote of the board of governors will approve the
recommendation of a nominee for the Moody Prize.
The panel of experts will include 5 to 10 members
composed of advocates, distinguished scientists, and practitioners in neuroscience
and brain injury rehabilitation who have achieved national distinction.
These jurists will be selected by the governing board to serve staggered
terms of four years that may be renewed. The board may elect a chairperson
from among the appointed jurists to facilitate the selection process. The
board, from time to time, will seek the advice and counsel of the panel
of experts on procedures and standards for selection.
Recipients of the prize are encouraged to contribute to the review of
nominations in the four years following their award. Panelists are
expected to recuse themselves from reviewing nominations for which they provide
written endorsements.
Ordinarily, the prize will be announced in
annually, and nominations will be requested by the end of the preceding
year. Nominations for the award will be solicited through appropriate public
notices. Candidates need not be scientists, physicians, or rehabilitation
clinicians, but may be public servants, philanthropists, fund raisers,
writers, or other individuals who have made distinguished contributions
to brain injury awareness, research, advanced education, or rehabilitation
practices.
Nominations will be submitted on a form accompanied
by a curriculum vita and the names of suitable referees. Panelists will
evaluate the work and contributions of each nominee and recommend candidates
for consideration to the board of governors.
The decision of the board of governors will be
final. Expert panelists may not nominate nor officially endorse a candidate
for the prize.
If a member of the panel is nominated, he or she will
recuse themselves
from
the deliberations.
Panelists will be expected to recuse themselves
from participation in the deliberations on any nominee for which their
participation may represent an actual or perceived conflict of interest.
Evaluation of Nominees
The panel of experts will seek convincing and
objective evidence that a sustained line of research, an established rehabilitation
or educational program, or well-focused series of public awareness or advocacy
activities is recognized as exemplary. Three questions will guide
the review process:
-
Does the nominee's work represent a major contribution
in the area of endeavor?
-
If the nominee's work is research related, is there
a clear, and direct application that shows benefit or the promise of benefit
to brain injury survivors at present or in the immediate future?
-
Are there unique or compelling aspects of the work
that set it apart from other noteworthy contributions in a given area?
-
Are the candidate's contributions likely to be viewed
by contemporaries as deserving of this recognition?
Evidence to be considered may include written statements,
resumes or curricula vitae submitted by nominators, candidates or invited
referees; publications, citations of work, and printed descriptions of
programs or campaigns. Other materials may be submitted (e.g., electronic
media, photographs, videotapes, samples of device, etc.) as may be appropriate
to a full consideration of the candidate's worthiness for recognition.
In all cases, expenses associated with the submission of a nomination (including
accompanying materials) will be borne by the nominator.
No residential or citizenship restrictions will
be imposed on nominees. The panel of experts will consider only complete
sets of nominations and requested materials. These must be received by
the nomination deadline as determined by postmark. There is no limit to
the number of times a candidate may be nominated. However, an individual
or group may receive the prize only once.
Records will be kept of nominees and nominators.
The materials submitted in nomination of awardees will be retained in the
official archives of the Moody Prize board of governors. Materials
for other nominees will be kept on file for a period of three years following
their receipt.
Board of Governors
A board of governors will oversee the administration
of the award. The board will have not less than five (5) nor more than
(7) members, at least two of whom must be representatives of the Transitional
Learning Center of Galveston and the University of Texas Medical Branch.
The Chairman will be elected from the members. Meetings of the board will
be held at least once annually. Minutes of meetings will be kept.
Decisions will be made by majority vote.
Present board consists of
Charles Christiansen, Guy Clifton, Susan Connors, Brent Masel, Kenneth
Ottenbacher, and Marilyn Spivack.
Administrative Matters
The governing board will utilize a coordinator
to oversee the administrative details of the nomination and award process.
Operational procedures for the panel of experts and for the presentation
of the award will be reviewed and approved by the board.
The board will ensure that actions taken are consistent
with the purposes of the award and that all activities serve to maintain
or increase the stature and significance of the prize. The board will maintain
a website that publicizes the award and facilitates the award process.
All symbols, logos, service marks, or other artifacts developed for the
award will be protected legally as appropriate through copyright, trademark,
or service mark.
