Federal employees are responsible for many noteworthy and inspiring accomplishments that are seldom recognized or celebrated. Since 2001, the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals highlight excellence in our federal workforce, help to build trust in the federal government and inspire talented and dedicated individuals to join the federal workforce.
Named for the Partnership’s late founder who was inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s call to service in his inaugural address in 1961, these awards align with his vision of a dynamic and dedicated federal workforce that meets the needs of our diverse nation.
The Sammies honorees represent the many exceptional career public servants who are breaking down barriers, overcoming huge challenges and getting results. Whether they’re defending our national interests, protecting the environment, ensuring public health and safety, making scientific and medical discoveries, or responding to natural disasters, famine or war, these federal employees put service before self and make a lasting difference.
Samuel J. Heyman believed that “the future of our nation quite simply depends on the quality of our government.” The Sammies are the Partnership’s way of showing the world the many ways our government is making our country better, safer and stronger.
The 2023 Service to America Medals finalists
Former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie presents the 2019 Paul A. Volcker Career Achievement Medal
Partnership for Public Service founder Samuel J. Heyman and Ronnie F. Heyman
Actor Michael Kelly and former White House Chief of Staff and current Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, present at the 2016 Sammies
2019 Sammies Master of Ceremonies Andrea Mitchell, NBC News
Sen. Rick Scott presents the 2019 Safety and Law Enforcement Medal
2023 Federal Employee of the Year, Laura K. Cooper, and United States Deputy Secretary of Defense, Kathleen Hicks
2012 Sammies Masters of Ceremonies, John Roberts, FOX News and Kyra Phillips, ABC News
Former National Security Advisor Susan Rice presenting to 2015 National Security and International Affairs Medal recipient, Mia Beers
2012 National Security and International Affairs Medal Recipient, Charles Scoville, with Congressman Darrell Issa
2008 Sammies Master of Ceremonies, Rob Riggle
2023 Career Achievement Medalist, Melissa Emrey-Arras, and Comptroller General of the United States, Gene Dodaro
2007 Sammies Master of Ceremonies, Lester Holt
First Lady Michelle Obama with 2014 Sammies winners (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Anderson Cooper at the 2004 Sammies
The 2017 Service to America Medals Gala
Former White House Chief of Staff, Andy Card, with 2002 Career Achievement Medal Recipient, Dr. Katharine Gebbie
Former White House Chief of Staff, Josh Bolten, with Richard Greene, 2008 Federal Employee of the Year
Raj Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, with 2022 Spirit of Service Award Recipient Darren Walker
Author Michael Lewis with 2018 Spirit of Service Award Recipient Jeff Bezos
Alphabet CFO Ruth Porat with 2021 Spirit of Service Award Recipient Laurene Powell Jobs
2017 Sammies emcee, John Dickerson, Co-Anchor, CBS This Morning
Partnership for Public Service President and CEO Max Stier kicks off the 2017 Sammies ceremony
Partnership for Public Service Board Members Tom Bernstein (Chairman) and Joel Fleishman
Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar presents the 2019 Science and Environment Medal