AMA Honors MMA-Nominated Osterholm and Malcolm with Service Awards

February 15, 2024

The AMA awarded six individuals with its prestigious awards for outstanding government service. Among the recipients were two Minnesotans, Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH, who received the award for Outstanding Member of the Executive Branch Serving by Presidential Appointment, and former Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm, who received the award for Outstanding Career Public Servant at the Local Level.  

The awards were presented February 13 at the AMA National Advocacy Conference in Washington D.C. The MMA nominated Osterholm for the honor.  

An award-winning night - from left: Janet Silversmith, MMA CEO; MMA President Laurel Ries, MD; Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH; Jan Malcolm; Minnesota Health Commissioner Brooke Cunningham, MA, MD, PhD; and MMA Board Chair Kim Tjaden, MD, MPH.

Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota, is a renowned epidemiologist who warned for years that the United States was ill-prepared for a pandemic. He was appointed to President-elect Joe Biden’s COVID-19 transition advisory board, and previously served as science envoy for health security on behalf of the U.S. Department of State.  

“Having worked directly with Dr. Osterholm for many years, the Minnesota Medical Association was honored to nominate him for this prestigious award,” said MMA President Laurel Ries, MD. “Minnesota physicians recognize his vast and deep expertise and value his ability to communicate threats to public health in a way that penetrates through so much noise. We are particularly grateful for his collaboration and genuine empathy for the individuals and families harmed by infectious diseases.” 

"I am gratified and humbled to receive this award from an organization I deeply respect,” Osterholm said. “For generations, the American Medical Association has helped protect our nation’s well-being by bringing together the latest thinking in science, policy, and public health. Though the award is in my name, we know that the field of public health is based on collaboration and collective effort — so many dedicated professionals work tirelessly to protect the health of our communities. I especially want to thank my colleagues at CIDRAP and at the Minnesota Department of Health.” 

Malcolm served as health commissioner under three governors. Her first stint, 1999 to 2003, was in the Jesse Ventura administration. Gov. Mark Dayton tapped her for health commissioner in 2018, where she stayed until 2022 under Gov. Tim Walz.   

“The MMA is delighted that Jan Malcolm’s exemplary and longtime leadership in Minnesota healthcare has been honored by the AMA.,” said Janet Silversmith, MMA CEO.