NLA Awards
Fellow of the NLA
Knowledge Center
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About NLA Fellowship
The National Lipid Association recognizes excellence in clinical lipidology through three Fellow designations: Fellow of the NLA, International Fellow of the NLA, and Honorary Fellow of the NLA. These distinctions honor professionals who have demonstrated leadership, service, professional achievement, and meaningful contributions to the field of lipidology.
Candidates must be nominated through the appropriate Fellow nomination process. Self-nominations are not accepted.
Fellowship Categories
There are three categories of Fellowship recognition. Each category has specific eligibility requirements based on membership status, location, professional experience, and contributions to the field of clinical lipidology.
Fellow of the NLA
For NLA members residing in the United States, Canada, or US territories.
Recognizes NLA members who have demonstrated excellence in clinical lipidology through professional achievement, leadership, service, education, research, & commitment to the mission of the NLA.
Best fit for nominees who:
- Are NLA members in good standing
- Reside outside Canada, the United States, and US territories.
- Have professional activity in clinical lipidology
- Demonstrate service or contributions to the NLA
Nomination Requirement:
Two eligible sponsors are required.
International Fellow of the NLA
For NLA members residing outside the United States, Canada, and US territories.
Recognizes international NLA members who have demonstrated professional activity in clinical lipidology and meaningful contributions to the mission and work of the NLA.
Best fit for nominees who:
- Are NLA members in good standing
- Reside outside Canada, the United States, and US territories.
- Have professional activity in clinical lipidology
- Demonstrate service or contributions to the NLA
Nomination Requirement:
Two eligible sponsors are required.
Honorary Fellow of the NLA
For distinguished professionals with extraordinary contributions to clinical lipidology
Recognizes active or retired professionals who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to clinical lipidology, health care, education, research, leadership, or service.
Best fit for nominees who:
- Are active or retired professionals
- Have at least 10 years of professional activity in clinical lipidology
- Have made sustained contributions to the field
- Have demonstrated national or international recognition or impact
Nomination Requirement:
Two eligible sponsors are required.
Benefits of Fellowship
Professional Credential
Recipients are entitled to use the FNLA designation as a professional credential.
Formal Recognition
Fellows receive an award certificate and are recognized during an NLA recognition ceremony.
Fellow Recognition Items
Recipients receive an FNLA pin and other Fellow-branded items from the NLA.
Published Recognition
New Fellows are included in an annually published roster in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology and on the NLA website.
Meeting Recognition
Fellows receive a recognition ribbon when attending NLA Clinical Lipid Updates or Annual Scientific Sessions.
Nomination Process
Fellowship candidates must be nominated through the appropriate Fellow of the NLA Sponsoring Form. Two eligible sponsors are required for all candidates. Each sponsor must be either a current NLA Board member at the national or regional level or an active Fellow of the NLA.
Please Note: Self-nominations are not accepted. Candidates must be nominated by two eligible sponsors.
Nomination Type
Sponsors Required
Eligible Sponsors
Candidate Materials
Review
Sponsor-driven nomination
Two
Current NLA Board member, national or regional level, or active Fellow of the NLA
Curriculum vitae and personal statement will be requested after eligible sponsorships are received
The NLA Honors & Awards Committee may request additional information to evaluate the candidate’s credentials.
Fellow of the NLA Requirements
The Fellow of the NLA designation is reserved for NLA members who meet the organization’s established requirements for professional excellence, service, and contributions to clinical lipidology.
Basic Requirements
All of the following must be met:
- Membership in the NLA in good standing for at least the past three years following completion of training and residing in Canada, the U.S., or U. territories
- An active license as a healthcare professional, if in clinical practice, and/or degree/certification in a related specialty with a focus on lipid management and prevention of cardiovascular disease
- Professional activity in clinical lipidology through practice, education, and/or research for at least two years since completion of training
- Certification and recognition as a Diplomate or Clinical Lipid Specialist by the by the American Board of Clinical Lipidology
NLA Service & Contribution Requirements
Additionally, one or more of the following contributions to the NLA must be met:
- Substantial participation in NLA activities, such as regional or national meetings, sponsored courses, or continuing education activities
- Development of educational materials, scientific statements, press releases, and/or presentations by or for the NLA
- National or regional NLA committee or board work, serve as a reviewer for the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, or service to the Foundation of the National Lipid Association
Pathyways to Fellowship
Lipid Scientist/Author
Author on at least two published peer-reviewed scientific articles in the field of lipidology since completion of training.
Prominent Healthcare Professional in LIpididology
Clinical certification relevant to lipidology, including ABCL Diplomate or Clinical Lipid Specialist, or another credential considered on a case-by-case basis.
Leader in the Practice of Clinical Lipidology
Leadership in a lipidology-oriented organization aside from the NLA, or director of a lipidology clinic or service in a large private practice, hospital, or university setting.
Leader in Lipidology Professional Education
Faculty status at a college or university in a discipline related to clinical lipidology, or faculty participation at regional/national professional continuing education symposia.
International Fellow of the NLA Requirements
The International Fellow designation recognizes NLA members residing outside Canada, the United States, and US territories who have demonstrated professional activity in clinical lipidology and meaningful contributions to the mission of the NLA.
Basic Requirements
All of the following must be met:
- Membership in the NLA in good standing for at least the past three years following completion of training and not residing in Canada, the US, or US territories
- An active license as a healthcare professional, if in clinical practice, and/or degree/certification in a related specialty with a focus on lipid management and prevention of cardiovascular disease
- Professional activity in clinical lipidology through practice, education, and/or research for at least two years since completion of training
NLA Service & Contribution Requirements
Additionally, one or more of the following contributions to the NLA must be met:
- Substantial participation in NLA activities, such as regional or national meetings, sponsored courses, or continuing education activities
- Development of educational materials, scientific statements, press releases, and/or presentations by or for the NLA
- National or regional NLA committee or board work, serve as a reviewer for the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, or service to the Foundation of the National Lipid Association
Honorary Fellow of the NLA Requirements
The Honorary Fellow designation recognizes distinguished active or retired professionals who have made extraordinary and sustained contributions to clinical lipidology and health care.
Basic Requirements
All of the following must be met:
- A healthcare professional, if in clinical practice, and/or degrees/certification in a related specialty with a focus on lipid management and prevention of cardiovascular disease, active or retired
- Professional activity in clinical lipidology through practice, education, and/or research for at least ten years since completion of training
Contribution Requirements
Additionally, one or more of the following contributions in the field of clinical lipidology must be met:
- Extraordinary and sustained contribution of the nominee to clinical lipidology and health
- Positive and ongoing impact of the work in influencing clinical lipidology and health care
- Outstanding academic achievement and national or international recognition in clinical lipidology or a related field
- Significant volunteer involvement and service in similar organizations/associations in their respective country/state or through other avenues of community involvement
Sponsorship Forms, Letters, and Curriculum Vitae
Each sponsor is required to submit the appropriate Fellow sponsoring form and a letter addressing the nominee’s qualifications and ethical character. Once a candidate has received two eligible sponsorships, NLA staff will notify the candidate to submit additional materials.
Candidate Materials
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement, no more than two pages, describing how the candidate meets the basic requirements
- Evidence of significant contributions to the field of clinical lipidology
- Evidence of volunteer involvement with the National Lipid Association, when applicable
Please Note: Sponsors must be Fellows of the NLA and/or Board Members at the national or regional level. The NLA Honors and Awards Committee may request additional information from sponsors to evaluate the candidate’s credentials and make appropriate recommendations to the NLA Board of Directors.