2026 Advocacy Awards: Recognizing Excellence in Medical Research Leadership
On March 10, 2026, the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., will play host to the 30th Annual Advocacy Awards, a prestigious event organized by Research!America. This event celebrates individuals and organizations making significant contributions to medical and health research in the United States. Among the awards presented will be the Edwin C. Whitehead Award for Medical Research Advocacy, the Isadore Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion, and the Meeting the Moment for Public Health Award.
This year, the Edwin C. Whitehead Award, honoring outstanding advocacy for medical research, will be awarded to Senators Katie Britt and Chris Coons. Senator Britt, representing Alabama since 2023, has put her weight behind legislative efforts to advance crucial medical research, including funding for youth mental health, diabetes research, and maternal care. As a prominent member of the Appropriations Committee, she champions policies that bolster the nation’s health research funding, ensuring that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) maintains its status as a leader in the biomedical field.
Senator Chris Coons, with a long-standing commitment to research since his election in 2010, will receive the same honor. Known for sponsoring impactful legislation such as the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, Senator Coons tirelessly advocates for increasing funding and support for NIH and other pivotal public health agencies through various bills supporting research on conditions like Down Syndrome, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease.
Research!America President and CEO Mary Woolley praised both senators for their leadership during a time of urgent need, stating, "Sens. Britt and Coons are outstanding leaders in Congress who are standing up to support research and innovation in America at a time when the need has never been greater to put research to work to find the solutions to what ails us." Their dedication exemplifies the commitment necessary to keep the U.S. at the forefront of medical and health research.
Another prestigious accolade, the Isadore Rosenfeld Award, will be awarded to Amy Maxmen, Ph.D., a renowned National Public Health Reporter for KFF Health News. Her reporting has set a standard for effectively communicating complex medical and public health information to the public, focusing on health disparities and disease prevention. Maxmen's journalism not only informs but also engages audiences, essential for promoting public understanding of health-related issues.
The Meeting the Moment for Public Health Award will be given to The McClintock Letters, an initiative that sought to address challenges faced by the federal scientific research infrastructure. Led by the Cornell Advancing Science And Policy Club, this initiative encouraged scientists to share their insights through letters published in newspapers nationwide, raising awareness of the importance of scientific research and its impact on society.
As Research!America continues to champion health research advocacy, it reinforces the importance of public sentiment in advancing medical initiatives. Woolley emphasized, "With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed," a sentiment echoed through the efforts of the awarded individuals and organizations.
For those interested in the impact of medical research on societal health outcomes, more information on the honorees and the broader implications of their work can be found on the Research!America website. Their ongoing advocacy is vital in ensuring that public health research continues to receive the attention and funding it critically needs to thrive and innovate for a healthier future.
The Advocacy Awards represent a collective call to action for continued investment in health research, demonstrating that through collaboration and dedicated advocacy, significant strides can and will be made in the field of medical science.
This year, the Edwin C. Whitehead Award, honoring outstanding advocacy for medical research, will be awarded to Senators Katie Britt and Chris Coons. Senator Britt, representing Alabama since 2023, has put her weight behind legislative efforts to advance crucial medical research, including funding for youth mental health, diabetes research, and maternal care. As a prominent member of the Appropriations Committee, she champions policies that bolster the nation’s health research funding, ensuring that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) maintains its status as a leader in the biomedical field.
Senator Chris Coons, with a long-standing commitment to research since his election in 2010, will receive the same honor. Known for sponsoring impactful legislation such as the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, Senator Coons tirelessly advocates for increasing funding and support for NIH and other pivotal public health agencies through various bills supporting research on conditions like Down Syndrome, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's disease.
Research!America President and CEO Mary Woolley praised both senators for their leadership during a time of urgent need, stating, "Sens. Britt and Coons are outstanding leaders in Congress who are standing up to support research and innovation in America at a time when the need has never been greater to put research to work to find the solutions to what ails us." Their dedication exemplifies the commitment necessary to keep the U.S. at the forefront of medical and health research.
Another prestigious accolade, the Isadore Rosenfeld Award, will be awarded to Amy Maxmen, Ph.D., a renowned National Public Health Reporter for KFF Health News. Her reporting has set a standard for effectively communicating complex medical and public health information to the public, focusing on health disparities and disease prevention. Maxmen's journalism not only informs but also engages audiences, essential for promoting public understanding of health-related issues.
The Meeting the Moment for Public Health Award will be given to The McClintock Letters, an initiative that sought to address challenges faced by the federal scientific research infrastructure. Led by the Cornell Advancing Science And Policy Club, this initiative encouraged scientists to share their insights through letters published in newspapers nationwide, raising awareness of the importance of scientific research and its impact on society.
As Research!America continues to champion health research advocacy, it reinforces the importance of public sentiment in advancing medical initiatives. Woolley emphasized, "With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it, nothing can succeed," a sentiment echoed through the efforts of the awarded individuals and organizations.
For those interested in the impact of medical research on societal health outcomes, more information on the honorees and the broader implications of their work can be found on the Research!America website. Their ongoing advocacy is vital in ensuring that public health research continues to receive the attention and funding it critically needs to thrive and innovate for a healthier future.
The Advocacy Awards represent a collective call to action for continued investment in health research, demonstrating that through collaboration and dedicated advocacy, significant strides can and will be made in the field of medical science.
Topics Health）
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