Dr. Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, director, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) and Dr. Gary Gibbons, director, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) have been selected together as joint finalists for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals (also known as the Sammies). They are among a group of 29 exceptional federal employees being recognized by this premier awards program for their extraordinary public service. The Sammies are presented by the Partnership for Public Service, and the 2021 awards will honor the heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic response and other outstanding public servants. Winners will be announced in fall 2021.
Drs. Pérez-Stable and Gibbons are recognized in the COVID-19 Response category for their work which “developed and implemented federal programs to increase testing as well as participation in COVID-19 treatment and vaccine trials in underserved communities across the country.”
The two prominent NIH research programs being highlighted through this recognition have been established to promote health equity by reducing COVID-19 associated morbidity and mortality disparities experienced by underserved and vulnerable communities: Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities and Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics for Underserved Populations (RADx-UP).
Other finalists in the COVID-19 Response category include Dr. Barney Graham, deputy director, Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory (VPL), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, NIAID research fellow, and Dr. Peter Marks, director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration.
For more information, visit Service to America Medals.
Page updated February 2, 2022