Celebrating the Accomplishments of America’s Public Servants

The Service to America Medals (Sammies) awards program pays tribute to America's dedicated federal workforce, highlighting those who have made significant contributions to our country. Honorees are chosen based on their commitment and innovation, as well as the impact of their work on addressing the needs of the nation. Awardees are announced each fall at a dinner and awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

2008 Nominations are Closed

Thank you to all of our 2008 nominators! We will be announcing this year's finalists in June.

 

Sammies Winner Featured on NPR and American Public Media's "The Story"

Tune into to "The Story" to hear 2007 National Security Service to America Medal winner Anh Duong talk with host Dick Gordon.

"The Story" airs May 5 on NPR stations at 1 p.m. and again at 8 p.m. EST or tune into www.thestory.org to listen live.

Photo by Sam Kittner / Kittner.com

 

Congratulations to the 2007 Service to America Medals Recipients

On September 19, the Partnership for Public Service presented nine Service to America Medals to outstanding civil servants for their high-impact contributions critical to the safety, health and well-being of Americans — at a Washington, D.C. gala held in their honor.

The Service to America Medals have earned a reputation as one of the most prestigious awards dedicated to celebrating America’s civil servants.  

The top medal — Federal Employee of the Year — went to Dr. Douglas Lowy and Dr. John Schiller, renowned NIH scientists whose discoveries led to new cervical cancer vaccines. Cervical cancer is the number two cause of death among women, worldwide.

Additional Service to America Medals were awarded to public servants who boast achievements in fighting nuclear terrorism; cancer research; weapons technology; nuclear waste cleanup; foreign affairs; public housing – and helping wounded soldiers use technology to re-enter the workforce, through the world’s largest electronics accommodations program. 

Medalists come from the Departments of Justice, Defense, State, Energy, HUD, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, and the Navy.  They work and live in Washington D.C.,  Annapolis, Cincinnati, Denver, and Tampa.

“The Service to America Medals are important because they tell the true stories of the remarkable work that our federal employees do each and every day. There is not a day that passes where government does not touch our lives in some way — whether it is securing our homeland, or conducting cutting edge research to cure disease,” said Max Stier, Partnership for Public Service President. 

See all the 2007 recipients »

Download the event program »

Photo by Sam Kittner / Kittner.com

 

Finalist Featured in Washington Post

They Sniff at Danger
How a Motley Crew of Dogs Found Their True Calling — Fighting Terrorism
Terry Bohan, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Homeland Security Finalist

Washington Post photo by Richard A. Lipski

 

Finalists Featured in Baltimore Sun

This summer, the Baltimore Sun is running a three-part series on Maryland-based finalists for the 2007 Service to America Medals.

Click on the links below to read the stories.

Explosives expert helped the FBI get the case right
Michael Ethridge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Justice and Law Enforcement Finalist

HUD official has a talent for rooting out fraud
Nicole Faison, HUD
Call to Service Finalist

For a labor of love, civil servants may get a high honor
Wallace Fung and Henry Chao, HHS
Citizen Service Medal Finalists

Sun photo of Michael Etheridge by Kenneth Lam, Sun photo of Nicole Faison by Mauricio Rubio

 

© 2008 Partnership for Public Service