The Mary Ellen Avery Award (IMAGE) Pediatric Academic Societies Caption In 2013, the APS and SPR established and endowed the Mary Ellen Avery Award. This award honors Dr. Avery's outstanding lifetime achievements and seminal contributions to neonatal health through her discovery of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), her research and academic leadership, and her outstanding service to pediatrics and neonatology. Credit APS & SPR Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.