WASHINGTON — The American Medical Association (AMA) today announced the seven recipients of the 2015 Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service — the highest award for elected officials and government employees from the nation's largest physician organization.

The award, named for the founding father of the AMA, recognizes elected and career officials in federal, state or municipal service whose outstanding contributions have promoted the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health. This year's recipients include:

United States Representative

• U.S. Representative Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26th)

Governor, Elected Statewide Official

• Former Governor Mike Beebe

Member of Executive Branch in Career Public Service

• Bruce G. Gellin, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and Director, National Vaccine Program Office
• Dale P. Sandler, Ph.D., Principal Investigator and Chief of Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Member of a State Legislature

• Indiana State Representative Timothy N. Brown, M.D.
• Colorado State Senator Irene Aguilar, M.D.

Career Public Servant at the State and Local Level

• Joseph W. Thompson, M.D., M.P.H., former Surgeon General for the State of Arkansas

During the past 26 years, the AMA has honored more than 200 men and women with the Nathan Davis Award.

"The AMA's Nathan Davis Awards recognize government officials who go above and beyond the call of duty to support our nation's health," said AMA Chair Barbara L. McAneny, M.D. "Award winners have come from every branch of government service and are a testament to the important role that policymakers play in improving the health of our nation."

The awards were presented tonight in conjunction with the AMA National Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C.