WASHINGTON —The American Medical Association (AMA) presented Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D., a leader in Congress on issues ranging from graduate medical education to prior authorization reform, with the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service.
An emergency physician by training, Dr. Ruiz has an extensive background in public health and humanitarian aid. A leader whose record includes legislation to protect patients from surprise medical billing and improve psychiatric care coordination in the emergency department, Dr. Ruiz is also an advocate for addressing humanitarian needs at the U.S. border and ensuring that children, seniors, women and families are treated with dignity and respect.
Additionally, Dr. Ruiz has established himself as a leader on public health issues, including vaping, the opioid epidemic and firearm violence. In October 2019, he convened a roundtable discussion with other members of Congress and physician experts on how to address firearms safety as a public health issue.
“As a physician, Dr. Ruiz brings valuable hands-on health care experience to Congress and has taken charge on issues critical to patients and physicians, alike,” said AMA Board Chair Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., MPH. “The child of farmworkers, Dr. Ruiz has a heart for the underserved and people in need. He helped to open a free clinic to help individuals from underserved communities in the Coachella Valley, and served as Medical Director for the J/P Haitian Relief Organization following the 2010 earthquake. For Dr. Ruiz’s tireless work in Washington, California, and across our health care system, it is our pleasure to present him with the Dr. Nathan Davis Award.”
Dr. Ruiz is one of eight honorees chosen this year to receive the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service. The award, named after 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.
He is an alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles and Harvard University. The AMA presented Dr. Ruiz with the Dr. Nathan Davis Award last night at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., as part of the AMA’s National Advocacy Conference.
Media Contact:
About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association is the physicians’ powerful ally in patient care. As the only medical association that convenes 190+ state and specialty medical societies and other critical stakeholders, the AMA represents physicians with a unified voice to all key players in health care. The AMA leverages its strength by removing the obstacles that interfere with patient care, leading the charge to prevent chronic disease and confront public health crises and, driving the future of medicine to tackle the biggest challenges in health care.
