Burke Award
The Burke Award is conferred upon an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the field of rehabilitation, either through personal achievements, the development of research or the establishment of programs and facilities to assist individuals with disabilities.

It recognizes strength and courage in overcoming the challenge of a disability or a significant contribution to the understanding of physical disability in any area of endeavor. It remains the highest honor bestowed by the Board of Directors of the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital.

Past Recipients of the Burke Award include:
2005 Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey
2002 Roger E. Salisbury, M.D. and Roger W. Yurt, M.D. Burn Center Directors of Westchester Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital
2001 Leon Root, M.D., Director of Rehabilitation Services at the Hospital for Special Surgery
1999 Fletcher H. McDowell, M.D., former President of the Board of Directors of The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Medical Research Institute and former CEO and Executive Medical Director of The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital.
1998 Andrew Akerman, a former spinal cord injury patient who became a physician.
1997 Members of the Burke Wheelchair Sports Team and participants in the 1995 Paralympic Games: Jackie DiLorenzo, Denton Johnson, Jennifer Johnson and Ruth Rosenbaum
1996 Christopher Reeve, actor and disability advocate
1994 Richard Manley, former director of the Westchester County Office of the Disabled
1993 Anthony Bisaccia, a former patient
1991 Sarah Will, a Paralympic gold medal winner and member of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team.
1990 John Schmidt, M.D., a young stroke patient who became a neurologist
1988 Henry U. Harris Jr., honorary member of the Burke Board and former patient
1987 Murray Goldstein, D.O., MPH, former Assistant Surgeon General for U.S. Public Health Service
1986 Howard A. Rusk, M.D., founder of The Rusk Institute
1985 Carl Klein, a former patient