Background

The award was established in 2000 in honor of H. James Holroyd, MD, FAAP, and S. Norman Sherry, MD, FAAP, whose leadership in the medical profession has called serious attention to the powerful influence mass media have on the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Drs. Holroyd and Sherry were instrumental in initiating the American Academy of Pediatrics' ongoing examination of the media's relationship to such factors as aggressive behavior and violence, substance use and abuse, nutrition, obesity, sexuality, body-image, self-concept, and school performance. Their longstanding commitment as ardent spokespersons, policy-makers, researchers, and advocates of media literacy has led to enormous progress and greater understanding of these issues, and has made a significant difference in the lives of children.

Dr. Holroyd chaired the Task Force on Children and Television from 1983 to 1985. This task force authored the first AAP policy on the role of television in children's lives and was the predecessor to the Committee on Communications on which Dr. Holroyd served from 1993 to1998. He chaired the Media Resource Team from 1994 to 1996, a group which consults with television and motion picture industries to ensure that pediatric health issues are conveyed accurately and appropriately. Dr. Holroyd also represented the Academy in negotiations with the television industry to establish the ratings system that helps parents choose suitable programs for children.

Dr. Sherry chaired the Council on Child and Adolescent Health from 1981 to 1985. He served on the Committee on Communications from 1993 to 1998 and was a founding member of the Task Force on Children and Television from 1983 to 1986, playing a major role in establishing the Academy's first policy on television as a children's health issue. By recommending parents set limits on their children's television viewing choices and habits, and encouraging media education as a way to help children become critical viewers, these early efforts helped to underscore the importance of a pediatrician's role in youth education.

Qualifications and Nomination Procedure

The AAP will recognize one Fellow of the Academy whose outstanding contributions have demonstrated that media's influence on child and adolescent health is an important public health issue, and whose work in the areas of advocacy, legislation, research, and professional or public education addresses and/or suggests solutions to the health implications raised by child and adolescent use of media. Pediatricians who have taken an active role in the development of programs about media (e.g. media literacy), have advocated for quality children's programming, or whose work has helped the medical profession better understand its role in media education will be considered. Current members of the Committee on Communications or employees of the AAP may not be nominated.

An inscribed crystal award will be presented at the award winner's district or chapter meeting.

Nominations must include at least one letter of support that indicates why the nominee qualifies for this award and provides examples of relevant achievements, along with a copy of the nominee's CV to the address below.

Communications
Re: Holroyd-Sherry Award
American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Blvd.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Tel: (800) 433-9016 ext. 7877
Fax: (847) 228-5011
E-mail: mediamatters@aap.org

Previous Holroyd-Sherry Award Recipients