Awards & Grants

PCCHA Recognition Awards

PCCHA offers several awards to honor colleagues and campus programs.

See below for information on PCCHA grants.

ACHA Affiliate New Professional Award

Presented for the first time in 2002, this ACHA award recognizes members who have provided service to the field of college health for five years or less and who have made significant contributions to their institution and/or affiliate.

Learn More

PCCHA Recipients

Nominate a Rising Star for the 2026 Affiliate New Professional Award!

PCCHA will begin accepting nominations for the 2026 Affiliate New Professional Award during the ACHA Call for Award Nominations (usually beginning in the fall and ending in January).

Do you know a new professional in college health who's already making a big impact? Here’s your chance to shine a spotlight on them!

This prestigious award celebrates exceptional newcomers who, within just five years, have already made outstanding contributions to their institution or PCCHA. Winners will be honored in front of their peers at the ACHA Annual Conference—don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate their achievements and inspire others! Nominate a rising star today!

Who is eligible to receive the award?

How do I nominate someone?

Where do I send the nomination?

New Awards This Year!

We are excited to announce three new awards that aim to celebrate the excellent work of our members.

You can nominate yourself, your program, a colleague, or a student for their achievements in college health.

E Ola Mau - To Perpetuate Health Award: Individual Award. Recipient receives $1000 grant funding toward professional development
The Wave of Excellence Award: Program Award. Recipient receives $1000 grant
funding toward professional development
The Horizon Award: Student Award for an emerging leader in college health. Recipient
receives $1000 grant funding toward professional development

Nominations are due by January 31st, 2027.

Submit a Nomination

Previous Awards

PCCHA no longer offers the Ruby Rich Burgar Award.

The Ruby Rich Burgar Award was established in 1977 to recognize individuals with long, continuous, and outstanding service to college health and the Pacific Coast College Health Association. Named for Ruby Rich Burgar, Executive Director of PCCHA from 1977‐1988, this award represents the highest recognition given by the Pacific Coast College Health Association and continues to honor Ms. Burgar who passed away in 1996.

Past Recipients

1982 Gordon Bergy, University of Washington
1984 Murray DeArmond, University of Arizona
1985 Ray Miller, San Jose State University
1987 Helen Rueda, Fullerton Community College
1988 Allie Nelson, University of Arizona
1989 James Brown, University of California ‐ Berkeley
1991 Donald Char, University of Hawaii
1992 Mary Lou Holland, Highline Community College
1994 Norma Grundy, University of California – Irvine
1995 Betty K. Adams, Washington State University
1996 Robert Petit, University of Oregon
1997 Joyce Meador, University of Arizona
1999 Gary Fredericksen, California Polytechnic University ‐ Pomona
2000 Bill Waid, University of California ‐ Davis
2002 Paula Swinford, University of Southern California
2003 Jean Benthien, Point Loma Nazarene University
2005 Elizabeth Applebee, University of Northern Arizona
2006 Sandy Franz, Portland State University
2007 Joan Rawlins, University of Utah
2018 Cathy Kodama, University of California, Berkeley
2019 Cheryl Hug-English, University of Nevada, Reno

PCCHA no longer offers this award.

The Golden Gull Award was established by PCCHA in 2001 to recognize exemplary, innovative, and inspirational practices or programs within 4 areas of college health: clinical services, consumer services, counseling services, and health education and promotion services. This award encourages the creation of programs to improve college health practices and advance the health of students.

Past Recipients

2019
Best Integrated Health Care Practices
"UHS Collaborative Care Team"
University of California, Berkeley, University Health Services

2017
Best Health Promotion Practices
“Access to Online Birth Control”
University of California, Irvine, Student Health Center

2016
Best Health Education and Promotion Practices
“Bouncing Back: Building Resilience and Supporting your Wellbeing”
Simon Fraser University, Health Promotion

Best Health Education and Promotion Practices
“C.H.E.W. (Cooking Healthy, Eating Well) Cooking Classes”
San Jose State University, Wellness and Health Promotion

2015
Best Health Education and Promotion Practices
“Rest & Relaxation”
San Jose State University, Wellness & Health Promotion

PCCHA Grants

PCCHA offers financial support for college health researchers and innovators and for colleges or universities to host regional educational workshops, seminars, or speakers to further collaboration, knowledge, and networking among college health professionals and student leaders.

Ripple Effects Grants

Purpose:

To provide financial support to college health professionals organizing regional workshops, seminars, and speakers that foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and networking among health professionals and student leaders.

Award Amount Available:

Two awards, each $1000. It is expected that each institution provides a minimum of 20% cost share of proposed direct project costs (exclusive of any staff expenses). The level of support will be a factor in the grant review.

Note: no grant funds shall be allocated to indirect costs, also known as overhead, facilities and administrative, etc. or other administrative costs.