This year, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Partnership for Public Service and another year of our prestigious Service to America Medals® program.
Since 2002, the awards program has proudly honored more than 800 career federal employees whose work makes our nation safer, stronger, healthier and more prosperous.
Dive into the inspiring stories of remarkable Sammies honorees who have helped build a stronger society for us all.
Holding air polluters accountable to protect the environment and public health
Walter Benjamin Fisherow: 2009 Safety, Security and International Affairs Medalist
Walter Benjamin Fisherow coordinated the work of dozens of Department of Justice attorneys to negotiate landmark legal settlements against utility companies worth billions of dollars to help rid America’s atmosphere of some two million tons of toxic pollutants generated each year by coal-fired power plants.
Securing the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history
Sara Bloom and the Pfizer Case Team: 2010 Safety, Security and International Affairs Honoree
Sarah Bloom and her Department of Justice team led an investigation against Pfizer for illegally marketing prescription drugs and paying kickbacks to doctors that in 2009 resulted in the company paying $2.3 billion in fines and penalties, the largest health care fraud settlement at the time.
Making public transit systems more resilient against future natural disasters
Adam R. Schildge: 2015 Emerging Leaders Medalist
After Hurricane Sandy flooded and badly damaged rail yards, train tracks, subways and tunnels throughout the Northeast in 2012, Adam Schildge of the Department of Transportation developed and implemented a $3.6 billion grant program to make the critical infrastructure more resilient against future natural disasters.
Revolutionizing hurricane storm surge forecasting
Jamie Rhome: 2019 Safety, Security and International Affairs Medalist
Jamie Rhome of the National Weather Service created a new sophisticated forecasting and warning system that more accurately predicts the deadly storm surges days before a hurricane’s landfall, saving lives by alerting coastal residents sooner of the approaching danger.
Creating a path to self-sufficiency for foster youth
Michelle Daniels, Charles D. Eldridge and Ryan E. Jones: 2021 Management Excellence Medalists
Michelle Daniels, Charles Eldridge and Ryan Jones of the Department of Housing and Urban Development created an innovative program offering housing assistance and social services to young people aging out of foster care to prevent them from becoming homeless and to provide an opportunity for self-sufficiency.
Recovering billions for the public by holding multinational corporations accountable
Jill A. Frisch: 2026 Service to America Medals Honoree
At the Internal Revenue Service, Jill A. Frisch 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.
The stories of our Service to America Medals honorees demonstrate the profound impact federal employees have on our daily lives. As the Partnership celebrates its 25th anniversary, we remain committed to spotlighting the civil servants who keep our nation running.
To learn more about the Sammies and read the inspiring stories of our honorees, visit servicetoamericamedals.org.