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Celebrating 25 years of excellence in government at the 2026 Service to America Medals® ceremony

During the Partnership for Public Service Sammies Awards in Washington on May 6, 2026.

On Wednesday, May 6, the Partnership for Public Service hosted the 25th annual Service to America Medals® awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The Service to America Medals—also known as the Sammies and considered the “Oscars of public service”—is the premier awards program for career federal employees, honoring exceptional public servants who keep our nation running and moving forward.

25 years of recognizing government’s best

This year marks a double milestone: the 25th anniversary of both the Partnership for Public Service and the Service to America Medals program. Since 2002, the Sammies have recognized over 800 federal employees, and this anniversary offered a unique opportunity to reflect on their remarkable contributions to our country.

This milestone reaffirms the Partnership’s commitment to support our nation’s public servants and help ensure our government retains the necessary expertise to effectively serve the public good.

In this spirit, the Partnership recognized four new honorees—three individuals and one team—across four themes: safer, stronger, healthier and more prosperous.

An inside look at the 2026 Service to America Medals gala

Emceed by award-winning journalist Ari Shapiro, the 25th anniversary gala served as an essential demonstration of why we need effective government and what we stand to lose when it is undermined and weakened.

The evening featured leaders from different administrations, including video messages from Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden, both of whom praised the dedication of our nation’s civil servants. This recognition continued on stage with a lineup of presenters that included former White House Chiefs of Staff Joshua Bolten and Jeff Zients.

Other notable presenters included NBC journalist Andrea Mitchell, PBS NewsHour co-anchor Amna Nawaz and podcast host Kelly Corrigan. Bestselling author Michael Lewis joined Partnership President and CEO Max Stier for a fireside chat reflecting on 25 years of the Partnership.

Bestselling author Michael Lewis and Partnership President and CEO Max Stier during a fireside chat reflecting on the 25 years of the Partnership for Public Service.
Award-winning journalist Ari Shapiro emcees the 2026 Service to America Medals gala.
Author and PBS host Kelly Corrigan, left, and Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the National Hurricane Center and a 2019 Sammies honoree, discuss Rhome’s work in building a stronger America during the 2026 Service to America Medals gala in Washington, D.C.
Gharun Lacy of the State Department accepts the 2026 Service to America Medal.
From left, Joshua Bolten, former White House chief of staff to President George W. Bush, 2026 Sammies honoree Gharun Lacy and Jeff Zients, White House chief of staff to President Joe Biden.
Rory Cooper, a Department of Veterans Affairs research scientist and 2017 Sammies honoree, highlights the work of public servants dedicated to making America more prosperous during the 25th anniversary of the Service to America Medals® program.
Ransom Baldwin of the Department of Agriculture accepts a 2026 Service to America Medal® on behalf of the ARS Dairy Cattle Genetic Enhancement Team.
Ransom Baldwin, left, and Curtis Van Tassell of the Department of Agriculture during the 2026 Service to America Medals® ceremony.
James Szykman of the Environmental Protection Agency accepts a 2026 Service to America Medal.
James Szykman and Andrea Mitchell, chief Washington correspondent and chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News.

Meet the 2026 Service to America Medals honorees

Making America Safer: Gharun Lacy of the State Department

Led a team that discovered and quickly halted a sophisticated cyber intrusion into the State Department’s email accounts by a group with ties to China.

Making America Healthier: James Szykman of the Environmental Protection Agency

Led a cross-agency collaboration that successfully validated NASA’s TEMPO satellite, paving the way for groundbreaking methods of monitoring, tracking and addressing air pollution.

Making America Stronger: Jill Frisch, formerly of the Internal Revenue Service

Litigated landmark cases against multinational corporations that used complex schemes to artificially lower their federal tax liability, leading to the recovery of billions of dollars for the government’s coffers.

Making America More Prosperous: Ransom Baldwin VI, Curtis Van Tassell, Paul VanRaden and the ARS Dairy Cattle Genetic Enhancement Team of the Department of Agriculture

This team played a leading role in revolutionizing dairy cattle breeding through DNA research and genetic testing that has greatly improved milk production and animal health while benefiting the industry and the public.

Why this moment matters

Today, federal employees are facing great pressure and uncertainty, including unprecedented efforts to weaken our government and undermine its role as a vital public asset.

The Sammies are more than a celebration—they are a call to action to safeguard our nonpartisan, expert civil service. Supporting a strong, merit-based federal workforce has never been more essential to the health of our democracy.

To learn more about the Sammies and read the inspiring stories of this year’s honorees, visit servicetoamericamedals.org.