2025 Health Leader of the Year Award

Background

The COA Health Leader of the Year Award was established in 1987 to recognize individuals who have made notable contributions to the health of the nation. Contributions can be in research, administration, service delivery, or some other area of public health.

This award recognizes those who achieved prominence in public health. Persons who have demonstrated leadership and excellence in making notable contributions to the health of the Nation may be nominated for this award. Contributions can be in research, administration, service delivery or some other area of public health.

In general, persons considered will include those who have been in public health practice for more than 15 years. Membership in COA is not a requirement for nomination; however, consideration will be given to the nominee’s knowledge and support of the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

Nominations

Nominations are now open for the COA Annual Awards! To submit a nomination, please visit https://tinyurl.com/awards-coa. The due date for submissions is Monday, January 12, 2026. All awards will be presented at the 58th Annual USPHS Scientific & Training Symposium in Cleveland, Ohio.

Previous Recipients

YEAR	AWARDEE
2025	President and First Lady Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter
2024	Ms. Stephanie Kern-Alley, MPH, Field of Epidemiologist, Pacific Island Health Officers Association
2023	Ms. Laura A. Miller, Superintendent, National Park Service
2022	Anthony, Fauci, MD, USPHS, 5th Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH
2021	RADM Michael D. Weahkee, USPHS, MBA, MHSA (remarks)
2020	CAPT Gene Migliaccio, USPHS (Ret.)
2019	RADM Anne Schuchat, USPHS (Ret.)
2018	RADM Steven K. Galson, USPHS (Ret)
2017	RADM C H. Clara Cobb (Ret.)
2016	CAPT Robert J. Tosatto, USPHS, Director, Medical Reserve Corps Program
2015	RADM Boris Lushniak, USPHS, Deputy Surgeon General
2014	Thomas Frieden, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2013	RADM Thomas McGinnis, USPHS, Defense Health Agency
2012	RADM William Foege, USPHS (Ret.)
2011	The Honorable Jeff Bingaman, U.S. Senate
2010	The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, U.S. Senate
2009	RADM Susan Blumenthal, USPHS (Ret.)
2008	RADM Charles Grim, USPHS, Director, IHS
2007	RADM Helene Gayle, USPHS, (Ret.) President and CEO of CARE USA
2006	VADM Richard H. Carmona, 17th U.S. Surgeon General
2005	VADM James A. Zimble, (Ret.), 30th Surgeon General, US Navy
2004	Julie L. Gerderding, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2003	Kenneth Moritsugu, Deputy Suregon General
2002	Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary, HHS
2001	The Honorable John Warner and Tim Hutchinson, US Senate
2000	CAPT Brian Flynn
1999	RADM Barry Johnson, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
1998	The Honorable Bill Frist, US Senate
1997	Unknown
1996	Francis S. Collins, Director, National Center for Human Genome Research
1995	Unknown
1994	John Lewin
1993	Ada Sue Hinshaw, NINR, NIH
1992	VADM Antonia Novello, USPHS, 14th US Surgeon General
1991	William Roper, Director, CDC
1990	Samuel Broder, NCI, NIH
1989	James O, Mason 9th Assistant Secretary of Health
1988	Anthony Fauci, NIAID, NIH
1987	C. Everett Koop, 13th US Surgeon General