Filter Award History

The Filter Award has long been the highest award given to a member of the Nebraska Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. But what is the history of this award? The Filter Award, named after the newsletter published by the NSCLS, was first given in 1957. The award was given to the most outstanding member of the NSCLS each year. Any member of the society could nominate someone for the award. The board would then review the nominations and select a winner. The winner could not be a current board member.

For the first several years of the Filter Award, the winner received a piece of Steuben glass. When that became very expensive, the award winner received an engraved silver tray. The award also came with a traveling plaque with all of the names of the previous winners engraved on it. The winner was to display the traveling plaque in their place of employment.

For the first 41 years that the Filter Award was in existence, it was purchased and presented by a man by the name of Russ Perry. Russ came to Nebraska as the first sales representative in the state for Scientific Products, a laboratory supply company. Russ and been a medical technologist in St. Louis and had recently entered sales. Russ once told me that when he first came to Omaha, the company told him that his territory was everything west. They didn’t even tell him to stop at the state line. Even when Russ moved from Nebraska and no longer worked with the laboratorians here, he continued to travel to Nebraska each year to see his friends and present the Filter Award. He remained a trusted friend and supporter of NSCLS until the time of his death.

Russ Perry was a man from whom I have learned many lessons. He was the consummate professional. His word was his bond. And he never forgot his friends. He had a kind word and a smile for everyone he met. Part of what made this award so special was the fact that Russ Perry presented it. It is my hope that the name of Russ Perry will be associated with the Filter Award and NSCLS for as long as they are in existence.

Submitted by Marty Fattig