NEW YORK, USA – The New York Festivals Health Awards (NYF Health) is now officially open for entries, ushering in its 2025 season with bold new directions, expanded categories and two visionary creative leaders at the helm of its Executive Juries.
This year, NYF Health welcomes Allison Ceraso, Chief Creative Officer at Digitas Health, as the Executive Jury Chair for Health & Wellness, and Kathleen Nanda, Chief Creative Officer at FCB Health New York (an IPG Health company), as Executive Jury Chair for Pharma. Both trailblazing women bring decades of creative excellence, leadership and impact to the jury room – setting the stage for a competition that celebrates purpose-driven innovation in healthcare, wellness and pharmaceutical communications.
“We’re proud to welcome such visionary leaders to chair this year’s Executive Juries,” said Jennifer Vizina, Executive Director, New York Festivals Health Awards. “Their insight and dedication will help ensure that the most innovative, purposeful, and impactful work from around the world is honored with the recognition it deserves.”
2025 Executive Jury Chair – Health & Wellness
Allison Ceraso has built her career on empathy, creativity, and impact, bringing a people-first mindset to every aspect of health advertising. Now serving as CCO of Digitas Health, the largest health agency within Publicis, she is focused on integrating inclusive design and innovation into meaningful brand experiences that improve lives.
Her award-winning work, from the emotionally resonant ParkinSex and ScART initiatives to recent campaigns in asthma and Alzheimer’s disease, reflects her belief that creativity in health must be both human and purposeful. A recognized industry leader, Allison was named a 2024 Cannes Lions “See It, Be It” Mentor, a Campaign US “40 Over 40” honoree, and an HBA Rising Star. She is also deeply involved in mentorship and advocacy through her work with FIT’s Ad Design program and the Research Foundation to Cure AIDS. As Jury Chair, she brings visionary leadership and a passion for transformative storytelling to guide this year’s Health & Wellness judging panel.
“NYF Health honors the world’s most exceptional creativity in health — the kind fueled by grit, determination, heart, and a drive to make a difference. As a born-and-raised New Yorker, I know those qualities aren’t just what power great work — they’re the soul of this city. I’m proud to help recognize the brilliance, craft, and impact shaping the future of health.”— Health & Wellness Chair, Allison Ceraso CCO at Digitas Health
2025 Executive Jury Chair – Pharma
Kathleen Nanda, a 14-year veteran of FCB Health New York, an IPG Health company, the single largest healthcare marketing agency in the world, has spent more than 20 years creating effective, award-winning work on marquee brands across a broad range of categories. She began her career in consumer advertising, working for notable clients such as AT&T, Ford, Citibank, Sprint, Kodak, and the US Marine Corps, among others.
After discovering healthcare, she eagerly jumped in and never looked back. Over her career, she has been both a winner and a juror at The New York Festivals, Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, Clios, Effies, and more. She was named a 2024 MM+M Woman of Distinction. Kathleen’s experience is vast, and she’s created award-winning work for all types of brands, from dermatology to virology.
Grounded in a firm belief that creativity has the power to help improve lives, she relentlessly pushes for work that breaks through and changes human behavior in new and unexpected ways. The tremendous potential of healthcare advertising still excites her daily, and she is thrilled to be able to help enhance the work, and most importantly, the lives of those impacted by it.
“NYFH is a great show and I’m thrilled by the opportunity to recognize work that blends creativity and compassion, and to help champion campaigns that change lives, drive equity, and elevate healthcare communication,” said Kathleen Nanda, CCO, FCB Health New York, an IPG Health company. “I believe in the power of celebrating courage in creativity and am eager to lead a jury that encourages risk‑taking and boundary-pushing work.”
NYF Health Awards unveiled this year’s Call for Entry campaign, “Rewarding Healthy Obsession,” developed by Adam Hessel, CCO at The Bloc, and his creative team. The engaging print campaigndramatizes the relentless commitment of health and pharma creatives by showcasing extreme work scenarios. Witty scenarios include finalizing a case study during mid-flight wild turbulence, reviewing edits in a sauna, tweaking copy during a bank robbery, and even a bride approving layouts in a limo after her wedding, the concept taps into the obsessive perfectionism that drives the industry.
“We wanted to focus on the enduring passion, dedication, and relentless creative commitment that it takes to achieve great work. The campaign showcases the creative journey that’s in our DNA – the best creatives do whatever it takes to keep making progress, no matter what situation they find themselves in,” said Adam Hessel, Chief Creative Officer at The Bloc.
The 2025 competition expands its reach with timely and relevant new categories, including:
- NYF’in Funny – Honoring the use of humor in health advertising
- Creativity in Commerce – Celebrating work that connects creativity and commerce
- Best Use of Data – Spotlighting campaigns powered by data-driven storytelling
- Managed Markets – Recognizing excellence in strategic pharma communications
Also debuting is Greater Good, a category spotlighting purpose led campaigns addressing mental health, equity, environmental issues, and more. Meanwhile, the Future Now section grows with new craft categories focused on AI and immersive experiences in medical and pharma campaigns.
The official Early Bird deadline to enter the 2025 NYF Health Awards is September 15. For more information on the competition, including rules, categories, and entry details, visit: HERE.
