WASHINGTON, D.C. –The American Medical Association (AMA) presented Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha R. Bell with the AMA Award for Outstanding Government Service. 

The country’s youngest Black woman to serve as a county commissioner, Commissioner Bell is a public health champion and strong advocate for expanding health care access. Commissioner Bell provided critical leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, fueling vaccination and testing rates that exceeded those of the State of Michigan. 

“In a time of particular challenges to local and county governments, Commissioner Bell has stepped up and improved the health of her community,” said AMA Board Chair Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, M.D. “She has fought to make health insurance more accessible and affordable, worked to provide free lead paint testing to Wayne County youth, and successfully touted the power of vaccines and testing to prevent the worst of and spread of COVID-19. It is truly an honor to present Commissioner Alisha Bell with the Outstanding Government Service Award." 

In addition to her position on the Wayne County Commission, Commissioner Bell serves as chair of Wayne County HealthChoice, which provides low-cost health insurance for small business owners and their employees. 

Commissioner Bell is a graduate of Cass Technical High School, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Florida A&M University, and earned a Master’s Degree in Education from University of Nevada in Las Vegas. As an active member of the community, Commissioner Bell serves on several local boards, and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.