In October 2018, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health recognized the brilliant work of Sister Senkenesh through a Lifetime Achievement Award. Translated here is the recognition of her efforts:
Sister Senkenesh Gebremariam has been known for her comprehensive service over several years by Alert Hospital. Prior to that, 1973 to 1977, she had been providing service at Bicidomo for people affected by leprosy. From 1983 to 2000, at the Alert Hospital, Sr. Senkenesh had been successful in contributing to the reduction of health related stigma and discrimination with the help of social counseling. She is also know for her community-oriented training in collaboration with hospitals, different parts of the country, and universities. Sister Senkenesh has been working with the Ethiopian Catholic Church for the establishment of the Medhen Social Service Center in the establishment and training of patients to join social life and the community in the past 30 years. In addition, she has helped to make sure more than 500 families of leprosy are provided with the opportunity for education.
She is also the Chairwoman of the Alert Research Advisory Committee, and has been serving as a member for more than a decade, where she has been involved in research and development of problem-solving research, and research activities in the management and implementation of various levels of social work. For this, the Damien-Dutton Award, once won by Mother Teresa at the international level, was awarded to the devoted and humble Sr. Senkenesh from the UK in 2010.