ORLANDO, Fla. — During the opening session of its 2016 Interim Meeting, the American Medical Association presented Katie O. Orrico, J.D., director of the Washington Office at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), with the Medical Executive Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors a medical association executive who has contributed substantially to the goals and ideals of the medical profession.

“A coalition builder, Katie Orrico has demonstrated time and again throughout her career a tireless commitment to patients and physicians alike,” said AMA President Andrew W. Gurman, M.D. “Respected by colleagues for her leadership, mentorship and library of knowledge on policy, legislation and government operations, she is a workhorse for a healthier tomorrow.”

Throughout her career, Orrico has built alliances with other influential organizations, including the AMA, where she currently serves on the AMA-led MACRA Task Force and MIPS Workgroup. A dedicated health professional outside of neurological surgery, Orrico has also worked closely with the Council of Medical Specialty Societies, the Partnership to Improve Patient Care, and the Health Coalition on Liability and Access. She is one of the founding members of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, which represents 14 national medical specialty societies with over 100,000 physician members.

Orrico has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from The Catholic University of America and Juris Doctor from George Mason University School of Law.