Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, MD, MPH President | Official website
Dr. Paul Friedrichs, the inaugural director of the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (OPPR), has been honored with the American Medical Association (AMA) Award for Outstanding Government Service. His contributions in advising President Biden and coordinating U.S. efforts to improve preparedness and response to pandemics have been recognized.
“Through his career in medicine, the military and public service, Dr. Friedrichs has touched lives in ways big and small,” said AMA Board Chair Michael Suk, M.D., JD, MPH, MBA. “He has treated patients in combat zones and worked to improve the quality of military health care. He has dedicated time to safeguarding our supply chain and leading the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness & Response Policy. And on a more personal level, as an AMA delegate and physician leader, he has always been generous with his time and wisdom, making space especially for young physicians eager to learn from him. it is an honor to present Dr. Paul Friedrichs with the AMA Award for Outstanding Government Service.”
Before assuming his role at OPPR, Dr. Friedrichs served as special assistant to the president and senior director for global health security and biodefense at the White House National Security Council. His prior experience includes serving as Joint Staff Surgeon at the Pentagon where he advised on health services related issues for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
In addition to these roles, Dr. Friedrichs coordinated operational medicine and force health protection among various defense bodies including combatant commands and NATO’s Committee of the Chiefs of Military Medical Services.
An Air Force veteran with 37 years of service, Dr. Friedrichs has been involved in saving lives in combat zones, enhancing global medical evacuation systems, and responding effectively to natural disasters and biological outbreaks both domestically and internationally.
His leadership extended to chairing the Military Health System’s Joint Task Force on High Reliability Organizations which improved military healthcare quality significantly enough to earn recognition as “Best Air Force Hospital.” His accolades include prestigious awards such as the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, and being named a Chevalier in France's Ordre National du Mérite.
Dr. Friedrichs holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Tulane University and a Doctorate in Medicine from Uniformed Services University.