The American Medical Association solicits annual nominations for the American Medical Association Awards for Outstanding Government Service—considered one of the most prestigious awards honoring elected officials and career government employees. These awards aim to recognize significant accomplishments to advance public health.

Award category: United States Representative

Rep. Kevin Brady

The state of Texas

• Press release

Award category: Member of the executive branch serving by presidential appointment

Rahul Gupta, MD, MPH, MBA, FACP

Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

• Press release

Award category: Member of the executive branch in career public service

Debra Houry, MD, MPH

Chief medical officer and deputy director of program and science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Press release

Award category: Outstanding public service

Wendell Primus, PhD

Senior policy advisor to speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi

• Press release

Award category: Member of a state legislature

Thomas C. Alexander

The state of South Carolina

• Press release

Award category: Career public servant at the local level

Alisha R. Bell

Chair, Wayne County Commission

The state of Michigan

• Press release

View a list of past winners (PDF).

Nominees who meet the following criteria are considered for the award:

• Contributed greatly to the public health through elected and career government service
• Is an outstanding leader in his/her field
• Has high personal integrity
• Promoted the art and science of medicine in or through government service
• Developed a special project that contributed to the public health of a given community or special population

The AMA presents these awards in seven categories of public service, including local, state and federal government. Each year, the caliber of nominees is a testament to the incredible health care initiatives being advanced throughout our nation.

• U.S. senator
• U.S. representative
• Member of the executive branch serving by presidential/political appointment (federal)
• Member of the executive branch in career public service (federal)
• Governor or elected statewide official
• Member of the state legislature
• Career public servant at the state or local level

If you have any questions regarding the awards or the nomination process, contact the Awards Secretariat at (314) 698-9051.