The American Medical Association announced on Aug. 3 the launch of AMA Honors, a new national awards program aimed at recognizing individuals who are shaping the future of healthcare.
Beginning in 2027, AMA Honors will present three marquee awards that celebrate transformative innovation, public health leadership, and trusted communication. Each award comes with a $25,000 prize that may be directed to the recipient or a charitable organization of their choice.
“Medicine is evolving at an extraordinary pace, driven by advances in technology, bold public health leadership, and trusted communication that helps patients make informed decisions,” said AMA President Willie Underwood III, MD, MSc, MPH. “The AMA created these awards to recognize the individuals whose work is driving that progress and making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and communities. By celebrating extraordinary achievement, these awards will shine a national spotlight on the leaders and ideas shaping the future of healthcare.”
The three awards include: Tech Innovator Award for advancing healthcare through innovation; Public Health Champion Award for impactful leadership improving population health; and Excellence in Communication Award for responsible communication reaching broad audiences. Recipients will be selected by a six-person committee composed of AMA leaders and external members through an independent review process using published evaluation criteria.
The inaugural ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2027, at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., during the AMA National Advocacy Conference. Nominations are now open through Nov. 2, 2026.
The American Medical Association has influenced medical ethics and education standards while representing physicians nationwide in partnership with over 190 state and specialty medical societies; it advances medicine through collaboration with stakeholders across the United States via its Board of Trustees and House of Delegates structure, according to its official website.