Red Ribbon Awards

The Penn CFAR CAB held the first ever Red Ribbon Awards Ceremony in the world in 2004. The ceremony is held each year in commemoration of World AIDS Day, and recognizes the tireless efforts of our local heroes in policy, research, community, faith, youth leadership and more. The Penn CFAR CAB has developed partnerships with several programs from the School District of Philadelphia showcasing the work of youth around the city and creating the space to continue the work of HIV activism and education. 

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2026 Red Ribbon Awards

The Penn CFAR Community Advisory Board (CFAR CAB)  is seeking nominations for the 2026 Annual Red Ribbon Awards. Our theme this year of “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response”  highlights the resilience of communities, driving HIV response, and puts focus on addressing challenges like funding cuts, structural inequities and stigma, while leveraging innovation to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

PREVIOUS RED RIBBON AWARD WINNERS

RED RIBBON AWARDS 2025

The 2025 theme, “Our Health, Our Rights, Our Community,” reflects our shared commitment to fair access to healthcare, human rights, and collective progress. Together, we honor the legacy of this movement and those who continue to work toward a healthier and more just future.

The following were awarded this year:

Naiymah Sanchez: Outstanding Community Leader Award

Janet Chen, MD: Outstanding Researcher Award

Katharine Bar, MD: Cure Advocacy (BEAT-HIV) Award

Richard Rutstein, MD: Outstanding Provider Award

RED RIBBON AWARDS 2024 (20th Anniversary)

Howell Strauss, DMD: Outstanding Community Leader Award

Robert Gross, MD, MSCE: Outstanding Researcher Award

Mary Evelyn Torres: Outstanding Policy Maker Award

Edward (Ted) Kreider, MD, PhD: Cure Advocacy (BEAT-HIV) Award

Bishop Ernest McNear, D. Min: Faith-Based Leader Award

Karam Mounzer, MD: Outstanding Provider Award

Susan Mull: Rick Britt Positive Award

AIDS Fund: Robert Schoenberg Pioneer Award

RED RIBBON AWARDS 2023

Roy Hayes: Outstanding Community Leader

Dr. Frederic Bushman: Outstanding Researcher

Dr. Elizabeth Lowenthal: Outstanding Researcher

Dr. William Short: Outstanding Provider

RED RIBBON 2022

Hiba Imad: Dale L. Grundy Youth Leader Award

Florence Momplaisir, MD: Researcher Award

Javontae Williams: Policy Maker Award

Lupe Diaz: Community Award 

Dining Out For Life: Robert A. Schoenberg Pioneer Award

Robert Thornton: Faith-Based Award

Click HERE to watch the 2022 Red Ribbon Awards Program.

RED RIBBON 2021

Rev. Rodger Broadley: Faith-Based Leader Award

Euraliz Lopez: Dale L. Grundy Youth Leader Award

Jose Bauermeister, PhD, MPH: Outstanding Researcher Award

Coleman Terrell: Outstanding Policy Maker Award

Tyrone Smith: Outstanding Community Leader Award 

Philly AIDS Thrift: Robert A. Schoenberg Pioneer Award

Click HERE to watch the 2021 Red Ribbon Awards Ceremony.

Click HERE for a copy of the 2021 Red Ribbon Awards Program.

RED RIBBON 2020

Faith-Based: Rev. Dr. Calenthia Dowdy

Dale L. Grundy Youth Leader: Dionte Gill

Researcher: Dr. Ellen Tedaldi

Policy Maker: Heshie Zinman

Pioneer Award: Prevention Point

Click HERE to watch the 2020 Red Ribbon Awards Ceremony.

For a list of all previous Red Ribbon Award winners see HERE.