Federal employees are responsible for many noteworthy and inspiring accomplishments that are seldom recognized or celebrated. The Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals highlight excellence in our federal workforce and inspire other talented and dedicated individuals to go into public service.
The Sammies, known as the “Oscars” of government service, are a highly respected honor with a vigorous selection process. Named for the Partnership for Public Service’s late founder who was inspired by President Kennedy’s call to serve in 1963, these awards align with his vision of a dynamic and innovative federal workforce that meets the needs of the American people.
The Partnership is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to help make our government more effective, and the Sammies honorees represent the many exceptional federal workers who are doing just that—breaking down barriers, overcoming huge challenges and getting results. Whether they’re defending the homeland, protecting the environment, ensuring public safety, making scientific and medical discoveries, or responding to natural and man-made disasters, these men and women 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.
2011 National Security and International Affairs Medal Recipient, Michael Duncan and team, and NASA Administrator, Charles Bolden 
2010 Homeland Security Medal Recipient, Sandy Brooks, and former United States Coast Guard admiral, Thad Allen 
2010 Federal Employee of the Year, Pius Bannis, and former Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano 
Partnership President and CEO Max Stier and Ronnie F. Heyman with Florence Pan (left) and Ward Blum (right) at the 2017 Sammies reception 
Actor Michael Kelly and former White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, present at the 2016 Sammies 
2012 Sammies Masters of Ceremonies, John Roberts, FOX News and Kyra Phillips, ABC News 
2012 National Security and International Affairs Medal Recipient, Charles Scoville, with Congressman Darrell Issa 
2008 Sammies Master of Ceremonies, Rob Riggle 
President Barack Obama with 2013 Sammies finalists (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) 
2014 Career Achievement Medalist, Edwin Kneedler, and Former Attorney General, Eric Holder 
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 
2011 Homeland Security Medal Recipient, Norman Coleman, and Former United States Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu 
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 
Author Michael Lewis with 2018 Spirit of Service Award winner Jeff Bezos 
DEKA Research & Development Corporation President, Dean Kamen presents the 2017 Management Excellence Medal 
2017 Promising Innovations Medal winner, Flora Jordan with Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey 
OMB Director Mick Mulvaney presents the 2017 Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Medal 
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 
2016 Masters of Ceremonies, Michael Kelly, “House of Cards,” and Stephanie Ruhle, MSNBC