Cecil Award

Each year, the NAM presents three Cecil Awards, recognizing and celebrating current and/or recent staff of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine whose sustained service has contributed importantly to progress toward the NAM Mission — to improve health for all by advancing science, accelerating health equity, and providing independent, authoritative, and trusted advice nationally and globally. Each award is accompanied by $4,000, a commemorative medal and certificate presented by the NAM President. 

• The Sandra H. Matthews Cecil Award for Administrative Excellence recognizes a current or recent administrative, management, project or research-support staff member within the Academies whose significant and sustained support (5+ years) has contributed importantly to activities advancing the mission of the NAM.
• The Cecil Award for Individual Excellence recognizes a current or recent activity director or research-support staff member who has made substantial contributions to the development and implementation of reports and activities of exceptional quality and influence in advancing the mission of the NAM. Ideally, individuals nominated will have provided sustained service (5+ years) within the Academies, demonstrating commitment to both the scientific excellence and impact of their activities, as measured not only by high visibility and response at the time of release, but also by sustained influence over time in shaping a field and/or calling attention to unrecognized or under-appreciated issues.
• The Cecil Award for Excellence of a Group/Team recognizes a staff group or team within the Academies that has made substantial contributions to the development and implementation of activities of exceptional quality, influence, and importance in advancing the NAM’s mission, as measured not only by high visibility and response related to their work, but also by exemplifying how teamwork can promote sustained influence in shaping a field, calling attention to emerging or under-appreciated issues, or helping set the stage for scientific advancement in health and medicine.

2022 Recipients:

Sandra H. Matthews Cecil Award for Administrative Excellence:

Jamal B. Samuel
Senior Membership Associate
National Academy of Medicine

Cecil Award for Individual Excellence:

Sarah H. Beachy
Senior Program Officer
Health and Medicine Division 

Cecil Award for Excellence of a Group/Team:

Samira Abbas, Tracy Lustig, Marc Meisnere, Sharyl J. Nass, Sarah K. Robinson, Cyndi L. Trang, and Micah Winograd
Implementing High-Quality Primary Care
Health and Medicine Division