Featured October 7, 2020 Dr. Anthony Fauci and other exceptional doctors discuss public service Back to Blog Dr. Anthony Fauci is our Federal Employee of the Year Date October 15, 2020 | Updated on May 17, 2022 Authors Cora Martin Tags Recognition One of the world’s leading infectious disease experts, Dr. Anthony Fauci, was named Federal Employee of the Year at the 2020 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals awards program. Actress Kristen Bell virtually presented the award to Dr. Fauci, calling him “America’s doctor” who has offered the public “a prescription for calm reassurance and practical information, especially during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.” “But that’s just the latest chapter in a career that spans five decades of public service,” Bell added. Dr. Fauci started his career at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 1968 and became director in 1984, advising six presidents during his tenure. He has spearheaded federal efforts to combat deadly viruses like SARS, swine flu, H1N1, West Nile and Ebola. He worked to improve HIV/AIDS treatment at the immediate onset of the epidemic and helped create the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in 2003, a program that has saved millions of lives across the world. Throughout his career, Dr. Fauci has even treated patients at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, including a Dallas nurse who became infected with Ebola in 2015. Since January 2020, he has served on the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Dr. Fauci is one of America’s leading scientists, constantly working to make us stronger and healthier. Celebrities and frontline workers say thank you Over 20 celebrities, including Bono, Matthew McConaughey, Sloane Stephens and Sharon Stone, congratulated Dr. Fauci for his Federal Employee of the Year win and thanked him for his dedication to public health and public service. Many highlighted his work to educate and regularly inform the American people about the coronavirus pandemic. Medical professionals and frontline workers thanked Dr. Fauci as well. The director of the NIH, Dr. Francis Collins, said, “I can’t imagine having a better partner right now—and throughout many years—than you, Tony. So congratulations.” You can hear more of these congratulatory messages to Federal Employee of the Year Dr. Fauci by watching the clip from the Service to America Medals program below. 2021 nominations Dr. Fauci and previous Federal Employee of the Year honorees have made outstanding contributions to their respective fields and embody the very best of public service. A selection committee of leaders working across government, business, entertainment, media and the nonprofit sector chooses the winter from the finalists in other medal categories. Do you know an exceptional federal employee? You can nominate them for the 2021 Service to America Medals. We will accept nominations through Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. To watch more video clips from this year’s Sammies awards, check out our blog post, Inspiring stories from this year’s Service to America Medal awards. Cora Martin is a former intern on the Partnership’s Communications team.
