Dr. Nathan Davis Award: AMA honors outstanding public servants

The AMA's Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service is a celebration of officials who have made a difference.

Editorial. March 19, 2007.

Editorial pages, and ours is no exception, often read like a catalog of what's wrong with government. On many issues affecting the health of the nation, the "government" -- shorthand for the individuals who make, interpret and administer the laws -- can legitimately be taken to task for being too timid, too intrusive, too bureaucratic, or too eager. And that's just a partial list.

But those in government also get things right.

The AMA's Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service presents a different, but equally true, picture of individuals who hold this essential public trust. Since 1989, the award has been an annual celebration of elected and career public servants on the federal, state and local levels, who have contributed greatly to public health, promoted the art and science of medicine, or developed a project to improve the health of a community or population.

The honor is fittingly named for Dr. Nathan Davis, whose determination and leadership in medicine and improving the health of the public resulted in the founding of the AMA more than a century and a half ago.

The 2007 recipients:

• Sen. Gordon Smith (R, Ore.), was one of two named from Congress. The AMA noted Smith's efforts on preventing youth suicide, as well as his work on health care issues in the Senate, including the Medicare prescription drug benefit.
• Sen. Sherrod Brown (D, Ohio) was cited for achievements while still a member of the U.S. House of Representatives on issues such as Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children's Health Insurance Program.