Honoree Archive - Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals

John P. Wagner

2019 Finalist

National Security and International Affairs

John P. Wagner

Implemented facial recognition systems that simplify and fortify airport security, helping travelers reach their destinations faster while stopping suspected terrorists and others attempting to enter and leave the U.S. using false documents

Kurt Yankaskas

2019 Finalist

National Security and International Affairs

Kurt Yankaskas

Identified and implemented solutions to combat noise-induced hearing loss, which affects hundreds of thousands of sailors and Marines, and costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year in treatments for veterans

W. Marston Linehan, M.D.

2019 Finalist

Science and Environment

W. Marston Linehan, M.D.

Discovered six different genetic origins of kidney cancer and provided the foundation for the development of targeted therapies that have saved thousands of lives

Osama El-Lissy

2019 Finalist

Management Excellence

Osama El-Lissy

Created a highly effective plan that led the United States to become the first and only country to eradicate the pink bollworm, saving cotton growers tens of millions of dollars annually

Shannon Sartin and Team

2019 Finalist

Management Excellence

Shannon Sartin and Team

Led the development of digital tools to make it easier for Medicare patients to access their electronic health records and for doctors to receive payment for the quality, not the quantity, of the care they provide

Krista L. Caudle, Ph.D. and the Laboratory Assay for Traumatic Brain Injury Integrated Product Team

2019 Finalist

Management Excellence

Krista L. Caudle, Ph.D. and the Laboratory Assay for Traumatic Brain Injury Integrated Product Team

Developed, tested and acquired FDA approval for the first-ever blood test that detects mild traumatic brain injury in military service members and civilians

Emily Joy Haas, Ph.D.

2019 Finalist

Safety and Law Enforcement

Emily Joy Haas, Ph.D.

Improved the health and safety of our nation’s mine workers by using behavioral science to influence the adoption of new technologies and practices that reduce their exposure to known hazards

William K. Boyes, Ph.D

2019 Finalist

Career Achievement

William K. Boyes, Ph.D

Conducted important research on the harm that commonly used chemicals have on eyesight and the central nervous system, leading to new standards to protect the public from overexposure to these toxic substances

Victoria Brahm

2019 Finalist

Management Excellence

Victoria Brahm

Restored the quality and safety of a broken health care center for veterans that had become notorious for unsafe medical practices, excessive opioid use and a toxic work environment

Venkatachalam “Ram” Ramaswamy, Ph.D.

2019 Finalist

Career Achievement

Venkatachalam “Ram” Ramaswamy, Ph.D.

Developed a state-of-the-art modeling system to enhance understanding and prediction of global climate and provide earlier and more accurate forecasts of severe weather events, helping save lives and property

Paul Shute, Christopher Aragao and David Enright

2019 Finalist

Management Excellence

Paul Shute, Christopher Aragao and David Enright

Dramatically cut the time and manpower needed to make decisions on service-related mental health claims for veterans, helping tens of thousands of individuals each year receive their benefits faster

Robert Cabana and the Kennedy Space Center Senior Management Team

2019 Finalist

Management Excellence

Robert Cabana and the Kennedy Space Center Senior Management Team

Transformed the historic Kennedy Space Center into a globally distinguished, multiuser launch site for government and commercial space exploration, helping preserve our country’s leadership in this important field

Emily Banuelos and the Taxiway Tango Tiger Team

2019 Finalist

Safety and Law Enforcement

Emily Banuelos and the Taxiway Tango Tiger Team

Designed and implemented enhanced surveillance technology that warns when commercial aircraft are lined up to land on a taxiway instead of the intended runway, averting the potential for catastrophic accidents

Daniel B. Jernigan, M.D.

2019 Finalist

Science and Environment

Daniel B. Jernigan, M.D.

Led response efforts for dozens of disease crises, including Ebola, SARS and West Nile virus, while greatly improving our country’s ability to identify, prepare for and respond to inevitable flu pandemics

McMahan “Mac” Louis Gray

2019 Finalist

Science and Environment

McMahan “Mac” Louis Gray

Created a game-changing technology that removes carbon dioxide from power plant emissions and absorbs heavy metals, such as lead, from municipal water supplies

Michael G. Kozak

2019 Finalist

Career Achievement

Michael G. Kozak

For nearly five decades, helped shape foreign policy to protect U.S. interests abroad and advance democracy and human rights around the world

Othmane Benafan, Ph.D.

2019 Finalist

Science and Environment

Othmane Benafan, Ph.D.

Advanced the science and use of a special alloy that returns to its original shape after being heated, leading to groundbreaking technologies that enable safer, more efficient aviation and space exploration

Arthur A. Allen

2019 Finalist

Career Achievement

Arthur A. Allen

Pioneered and perfected a modeling program that predicts where people lost at sea will be found, cutting search and rescue times and saving thousands of lives during a 35-year career

Christina A. Neal and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Team

2019 Finalist

Science and Environment

Christina A. Neal and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Team

Carefully monitored a large and sustained eruption of the Kīlauea Volcano in Hawaii and provided vital updates to protect residents, tourists and property from ash, lava and toxic fumes

Ann McKee, M.D.

2019 Finalist

Career Achievement

Ann McKee, M.D.

Revolutionized scientific research and our understanding of the long-term effects of concussions, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy, in veterans and athletes

Ryan Shelby, Ph.D.

2019 Finalist

National Security and International Affairs

Ryan Shelby, Ph.D.

Provided vital training and resources to help people in Haiti rebuild thousands of homes and roofs ripped apart by a Category 4 hurricane, making the structures safer and stronger to withstand future disasters

James McWhirter, Mark W. Pletcher and the Navy Bribery Scandal Team

2019 Finalist

Safety and Law Enforcement

James McWhirter, Mark W. Pletcher and the Navy Bribery Scandal Team

Uncovered and prosecuted the largest bribery and corruption scandal in the history of the U.S. Navy, resulting in dozens of federal criminal convictions and sanctions against numerous Navy officers

Kara L. De Castro

2019 Finalist

National Security and International Affairs

Kara L. De Castro

Led pivotal international programs to convert weapons-grade nuclear materials for civilian use and enhanced security cultures to guard against their mishandling and misuse

Jamie Rhome

2019 Finalist

Safety and Law Enforcement

Jamie Rhome

Created a new forecasting model and warning system that more accurately predicts the deadly storm surge caused by hurricanes, saving lives by alerting residents sooner of the approaching danger

Leticia Pibida, Ph.D.

2019 Finalist

National Security and International Affairs

Leticia Pibida, Ph.D.

Strengthened our nation’s defenses against nuclear and radioactive threats by developing performance standards and tests for detection systems that screen nearly 7 million cargo containers entering U.S. seaports every year

Kristen P. Finne

2019 Finalist

Safety and Law Enforcement

Kristen P. Finne

Developed a system for first responders to quickly locate and assist 4.3 million Medicare beneficiaries who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment and are at risk during prolonged power outages

Jeff Bezos

2018 Winner

Jeff Bezos

Built successful businesses that deliver everyday goods and services, advance space exploration and contribute to our national security and the public good, and launched large-scale philanthropic initiatives to help homeless families and improve educational opportunities in low-income communities

Karen D. Dodge, Margaret Moeser and the Teams

2018 Winner

Safety and Law Enforcement

Karen D. Dodge, Margaret Moeser and the Teams

Brought justice and restored financial losses of nearly $600 million for hundreds of thousands of people who were defrauded by money transfer scams

Andrew M. Herscowitz and the Power Africa Team

2018 Winner

National Security and International Affairs

Andrew M. Herscowitz and the Power Africa Team

Provided electricity to some 50 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, while creating hundreds of millions of dollars in export opportunities for U.S. companies

Margaret Honein, Ph.D.

2018 Winner

Science and Environment

Margaret Honein, Ph.D.

Collected and analyzed critical data to help protect women and babies from the mosquito-borne Zika virus that was spreading rapidly in the U.S. and its territories

Marcella Jacobs and the VA Digital Service Team

2018 Winner

Management Excellence

Marcella Jacobs and the VA Digital Service Team

Created online digital tools for veterans to more easily access benefits and services, delivering a high-quality and seamless user experience

Daniel L. Kastner, M.D., Ph.D.

2018 Winner

Federal Employee of the Year

Daniel L. Kastner, M.D., Ph.D.

Identified an entire new class of rare genetic diseases and treatments to alleviate suffering for thousands of patients in the U.S. and around the world

Parimal Kopardekar, Ph.D. and the Team

2018 Winner

Promising Innovations Medal

Parimal Kopardekar, Ph.D. and the Team

Designed a first-of-its-kind traffic management system for unmanned aerial vehicles, paving the way for large-scale use of commercial drones

Alison Smith, Ph.D.

2018 Winner

People's Choice Award

Alison Smith, Ph.D.

Pioneered the use of nanoparticles to mark sensitive military equipment with a unique fingerprint to guard against counterfeit products and protect our nation’s warfighters

Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, M.D.

2018 Winner

Career Achievement

Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, M.D.

Pioneered research to understand the prevalence of autism and other developmental disabilities, influencing the expansion of health, social and educational services for children with special needs

Stephen C. Curren and the Cyber Incident Response Team

2018 Finalist

Safety and Law Enforcement

Stephen C. Curren and the Cyber Incident Response Team

Defended health care computer systems in the U.S. from a global cyberattack that threatened patients’ health and safety

Matthew Nims and the Food for Peace Team

2018 Finalist

National Security and International Affairs

Matthew Nims and the Food for Peace Team

Distributed $1.4 billion in emergency food assistance to 20 million people in four nations fighting famine and threatened by violent conflicts, saving countless lives under harrowing conditions

Hoa Thi Tran, Ph.D. and the Team

2018 Finalist

National Security and International Affairs

Hoa Thi Tran, Ph.D. and the Team

Delivered emergency humanitarian relief to nearly 700,000 Rohingya refugees who fled violent persecution in Burma to find safe haven in neighboring Bangladesh

Guy Demeter

2018 Finalist

Management Excellence

Guy Demeter

Developed wide-ranging data management systems that enable FBI analysts to investigate criminal activity and identify threats more quickly

Tim Schmit

2018 Finalist

Science and Environment

Tim Schmit

Developed cutting-edge satellite technology for detecting and monitoring severe weather, helping protect people and property from approaching disasters

John J. Sammarco, Ph.D.

2018 Finalist

Career Achievement

John J. Sammarco, Ph.D.

Led game-changing research over three decades that improved lighting in mines, advanced rescue techniques and reduced accidents and injuries

Judith Lynn Allaire DesHarnais

2018 Finalist

Career Achievement

Judith Lynn Allaire DesHarnais

Directed major flood-protection projects that have saved lives and prevented more than a billion dollars in property damage

Gerald Ankley, Ph.D.

2018 Finalist

Career Achievement

Gerald Ankley, Ph.D.

For three decades, established techniques and standards to identify dangerous chemicals and prevent them from contaminating America’s lakes and waterways

Jeffrey Elliott Wood Jr. and the North Shore Gang Task Force

2018 Finalist

Safety and Law Enforcement

Jeffrey Elliott Wood Jr. and the North Shore Gang Task Force

Led a record takedown of the notorious MS-13 gang, arresting more than 60 leaders and members of this criminal organization in the Boston region

Jordan T. Manos

2018 Finalist

Promising Innovations Medal

Jordan T. Manos

Improved the system used to assess flood damage from hurricanes and other major storms, helping residents receive aid more quickly and saving the government millions of dollars in appraisal costs

Barney S. Graham, M.D., Ph.D and Theodore C. Pierson, Ph.D.

2018 Finalist

Promising Innovations Medal

Barney S. Graham, M.D., Ph.D and Theodore C. Pierson, Ph.D.

Developed a promising vaccine now in clinical testing to prevent the Zika virus, which has caused serious birth defects in the children of women infected during pregnancy

Soheila J. Maleki, Ph.D.

2018 Finalist

Science and Environment

Soheila J. Maleki, Ph.D.

Led life-changing research on the causes, detection, prevention and potential remedies for peanut and tree nut allergies, which affect up to two million American children

Mark L. Bathrick and the Team

2018 Finalist

Safety and Law Enforcement

Mark L. Bathrick and the Team

Built the largest civilian aerial drone fleet to help federal agencies fight forest fires, inspect infrastructure, monitor wildlife and natural resources, halt pollution, and conduct search and rescue operations

Allen R. Hefner Jr., Ph.D.

2018 Finalist

Career Achievement

Allen R. Hefner Jr., Ph.D.

Developed the “Hefner model” for power semiconductor devices that revolutionized manufacturing of power conversion systems that millions of people use today, leading to trillions of dollars in energy savings worldwide

Barbara G. Kutchko, Ph.D.

2018 Finalist

Science and Environment

Barbara G. Kutchko, Ph.D.

Helped rewrite standards for the use of foamed cement in oil wells, to prevent blowouts and damaging oil spills and to better protect workers and the environment

Dave Huizenga

2018 Finalist

National Security and International Affairs

Dave Huizenga

Managed numerous high-profile projects with foreign governments to secure large quantities of weapons-useable nuclear materials and prevent them from falling into the wrong hands

Ariel Gold

2018 Finalist

Management Excellence

Ariel Gold

Improved data-sharing to accelerate the adoption of new technologies that increase transportation safety and efficiency, including self-driving cars and vehicles that communicate with one another

Andy Neal and the NFIP Reinsurance Program Team

2018 Finalist

Management Excellence

Andy Neal and the NFIP Reinsurance Program Team

Persuaded private reinsurers for the first time to assume some flood damage liability, saving the National Flood Insurance Program $1 billion in claims in 2017

Phillip A. Brooks, Byron Bunker and Joshua H. Van Eaton

2017 Winner

Federal Employee of the Year

Phillip A. Brooks, Byron Bunker and Joshua H. Van Eaton

Halted a scheme by Volkswagen to evade emission standards, and helped secure a record $17.4 billion in legal settlements to reduce harmful pollution and compensate deceived car owners

Timothy P. Camus and the IRS Impersonation Scam Team

2017 Winner

Safety and Law Enforcement

Timothy P. Camus and the IRS Impersonation Scam Team

Led a multiagency investigation and public awareness campaign to stop a massive fraud that conned thousands of Americans into paying millions of dollars in bogus tax bills

Rory A. Cooper

2017 Winner

Science and Environment

Rory A. Cooper

Designed innovative wheelchairs and other assistive technology equipment that has greatly improved the mobility and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of disabled veterans and other Americans

Flora M. Jordan

2017 Winner

Promising Innovations Medal

Flora M. Jordan

Designed new, lighter body armor that is just as protective as existing equipment and can be adjusted for smaller physiques, giving warfighters greater mobility and reducing long-term health effects

Courtney Lias, Stayce Beck and the FDA Artificial Pancreas Team

2017 Winner

Management Excellence

Courtney Lias, Stayce Beck and the FDA Artificial Pancreas Team

Paved the way for the first artificial pancreas device to receive FDA approval faster than expected, helping transform the lives of Americans with Type 1 diabetes

Alex Mahoney and the Middle East Crisis Humanitarian Response Team

2017 Winner

National Security and International Affairs

Alex Mahoney and the Middle East Crisis Humanitarian Response Team

Led U.S. humanitarian relief efforts in war-torn Syria and parts of Iraq, delivering food, medicine, safe drinking water and other assistance to millions of people in desperate need of help

Surabhi Shah and the Urban Waters Team

2017 Winner

People's Choice Award

Surabhi Shah and the Urban Waters Team

Created public-private partnerships to clean up and revitalize urban waterways and surrounding lands, spurring economic development and reversing decades of neglect