Extraordinary Individuals. Extraordinary Impact.
AMA Honors is the American Medical Association's premier awards program recognizing individuals whose work is shaping the future of healthcare.
AMA Honors
The Three Honors
Each year, the American Medical Association presents three awards recognizing transformative innovation, public health leadership, and trusted communication.
What Recipients Receive
Help recognize an individual whose work is shaping the future of healthcare.
FAQs
Everything you need to know about nominations, selection, recipients and the ceremony.
About AMA Honors
- General eligibility requirements
Nominees must be individuals and U.S. citizens whose contributions are primarily relevant to healthcare in the United States.
Nominees may not be current members of, or individuals who have served on, the AMA Board of Trustees or the AMA Honors Selection Committee within the past year.
Nominations may recognize an individual's contributions in the context of their organizational role, but the award is conferred on the person, not the institution.
- What is AMA Honors?
Each year, the American Medical Association presents three awards recognizing transformative innovation, public health leadership, and trusted communication.
- Who can be nominated?
Nominees must meet the outlined eligibility requirements, including U.S. citizenship and no recent service on the AMA Board of Trustees or Selection Committee. There is no requirement that nominees be physicians or AMA members.
- Who can submit a nomination?
Anyone may submit a nomination.
Awards Criteria
- Tech Innovator
Transformative impact — Meaningful and original advancement in healthcare, with demonstrated impact beyond pilot settings
Real-world application — Relevance to patient care delivery or physician workflows
Responsible deployment — Commitment to safety, trust, and transparency
- Public Health Champion
Population impact — Measurable improvement in health outcomes at scale
Systems change — Durable influence on public health systems, institutions, or policy
Public trust — Ability to build credibility across communities and stakeholders
- Excellence in Communication
Public understanding & impact — Demonstrated influence on public understanding, engagement, or perception of health and medicine
Credibility — Commitment to accurate, responsible communication
Audience reach — Ability to engage broad audiences
Nominations
- How do I submit a nomination?
Nominations are submitted through this website. You will create an account that allows you to save your progress and return to your nomination before submitting. Nominations are final once submitted.
- What information is required in a nomination?
Nominator information
Nominee information
Responses to four nomination questions
A one-page biography or curriculum vitae (CV) for the nominee
One letter of support from someone other than the nominator
Up to three supporting links
Complete instructions are provided on the online nomination form.
- Approximately how long does it take to complete a nomination?
Most nominations can be completed in approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on the amount of supporting information provided.
- Is there a nomination fee?
No. There is no fee to submit a nomination.
- Can I nominate someone for more than one award?
Yes, if the nominee's work aligns with multiple award categories. A separate nomination must be submitted for each award.
Selection Process
- How are recipients selected?
Following the nomination period, submissions are evaluated by the AMA Honors Selection Committee using published award criteria through a rigorous review process designed to ensure fairness and integrity.
- Does the AMA accept public voting or community input?
No. Recipients are selected solely through the committee review process. AMA Honors is not a public voting competition.
- May nominators or nominees contact members of the Selection Committee?
To protect the integrity of the awards process, nominators and nominees should not contact Selection Committee members regarding active nominations. Doing so may result in disqualification.
- Will nominators receive feedback on unsuccessful nominations?
No. Due to the anticipated volume of nominations, the AMA is unable to provide individual feedback.
Recipients & Ceremony
- When will recipients be notified?
Recipients will be notified in January 2027 and asked to confirm their acceptance before the public announcement.
- Are recipients expected to attend the awards ceremony?
Yes. Recipients are expected to attend the ceremony in person.
- Can a recipient decline the award?
Yes. Recipients are not obligated to accept the award.
- When and where is the awards ceremony?
The inaugural awards ceremony will take place on Feb. 23, 2027, at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the AMA National Advocacy Conference.
Questions about AMA Honors?
If you have questions about AMA Honors or the nomination process that are not addressed on this page, please reach out.
