The medal's obverse bears bust of Sidney Licht facing left. Around bottom, · SIDNEY · LICHT ·M·D·
The reverse bears staff of Aeskulap with snake in center field; to its left, four symbols in circles; to its right, ASKLEPIOS in greek letters. Around edge; AMERICAN CONGRESS OF REHABILITATION MEDICINE / 1967 PRESIDENT 1968; around inner edge of beaded center field, EDITOR AND HISTORIAN OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE · HUMANIST · EDUCATOR / INTERNATIONALIST · PHYSICIAN · INNOVATOR
Sidney Licht (1908-1979) was born in New York City and practiced at Mount Sinai Hospital, Sea View Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital. He discovered his life's passion in rehabilitative medicine when working with the many World War II veteranswho struggled both physically and mentally with reintegration into civilian life. He and his wife Elizabth became key contributors to the young medical specialty of rehabilitative medicine.
He was a long-time member and served as President of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine from 1967 to 1968. The ACRM awards a prize honoring both Sidney Licht and his wife Elizabeth, who was the publisher of the Physical Medicine Library. The Elizabeth and Sidney Licht Award recognizes excellence in scientific writing in rehabilitation medicine. Only articles presenting potentially significant empirical and theoretical contributions to rehabilitation medicine, and demonstrating soundness of methodology and data analysis are considered for the award.
Paul Manship designed this medal before his death in 1966 and did not live to see it issued. The circular medal measures 76.2mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York.
References: MACo 1968-147