Overview

NECOEM is committed to a nomination and selection process that is transparent, equitable, and inclusive, and that values diverse career paths, lived experiences, and forms of impact.

The Harriet Hardy Award recognizes individuals whose work advances the health, safety, and dignity of workers. Harriet Hardy was a pioneer in the field of Occupational Medicine. NECOEM presents the Harriet Hardy Award to a person who has made outstanding contributions to the occupational health field. The story of Dr. Hardy’s life is of particular interest today, not alone for the reason that she was a distinguished woman physician in occupational medicine, but for how she developed her career of practice, teaching, and research in an age of technological medicine.

Criteria

Required:

• The individual has demonstrated an effort to understand disease or injury caused by working conditions and attempted to improve those conditions to prevent or minimize the impact on the health and lives of workers.
• The individual must have evidence for achievement/excellence in occupational and environmental health.
• The individual is active in clinical practice, research, teaching, leadership, policymaking, advocacy, or politics.
• The individual need not be a physician. 
• The individual need not be a member of NECOEM.
• The Awardee must be able to participate in the NECEOM Annual Conference, with appropriate accommodations if needed 
• The individual has not previously received a Harriet Hardy award. Our previous recipients can be found HERE.

Preferred: 

• While the award has historically recognized individuals with a connection to New England (e.g., born, educated, and/or worked in the region), we welcome all applicants from various regions and experience.
• The Awardee is expected to give a talk about their work or another important topic in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. As such, one important criteria for the Award is ability to give an engaging talk on OEM. However, an exception can be made to give the Award to an otherwise deserving individual who would be asked to give a short acceptance speech.

*Self-nominations are welcomed and are reviewed using the same criteria as all other nominations.

**The Harriet Hardy award is not an appreciation award.  NECOEM can recognize these individuals in other ways, e.g. bestowing an award on an outgoing president at the end of his/her term, a special “President’s Award,” or other means. The Award is usually, but not necessarily, awarded annually at the Annual Conference.

Nomination Form

The 2026 Harriet Hardy Award nomination process has closed. Please feel free to nominate a deserving colleague for the 2027 Harriet Hardy Award at any time.