Featured June 23, 2025 Celebrating public service excellence at the 2025 Service to America Medals® gala Back to Blog 2025 Service to America Medals® program recognizes public servants who solve our nation’s biggest challenges Date July 17, 2025 Authors Partnership for Public Service Tags Recognition The Partnership for Public Service recognized 23 individuals and teams as 2025 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals® honorees. This year’s honorees were recognized in three groups: One highlighted those who solve long-standing challenges. Another featured those who ensure government works better for all of us. And a third showcased those who innovate for a better future. The honorees from the first group persisted to find answers to long-standing national challenges. These career federal employees embody the expertise and institutional knowledge held by the professional, nonpartisan civil service. Safeguarding lives and public health From developing critical early warning systems to delivering essential care and improving protective equipment for first responders. These Sammies honorees spearheaded initiatives that directly protect the health and safety of Americans. Laura Cheever (retired) from the Health Resources and Services Administration For more than two decades, Dr. Laura Cheever managed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, a major federal initiative that provided lifesaving care and treatment to millions of low-income, uninsured and underinsured Americans. Laura Cheever, former associate administrator (retired), Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services Alexander Maranghides from the National Institute of Standards and Technology A fire protection engineer, Alexander Maranghides has dedicated 25 years to groundbreaking research on how fires that occur in communities adjacent to wildlands spread, what can be done to prevent them and how to protect life and property. His evacuation guide has become the technical foundation for a national wildfire evacuation effort led by the U.S. Fire Administration. Alexander Maranghides, fire protection engineer, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce Susan Xu from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health As a senior service fellow at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Susan Xu has conducted pioneering research to develop and improve personal protective equipment for firefighters and health care workers. Notably, she developed a new firefighter glove that provides up to twice the heat protection of traditional gloves, benefiting more than 1 million U.S. firefighters. Susan Xu, senior service fellow, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Department of Health and Human Services Chad Kahler, Michael Staudenmaier, Mark Loeffelbein and the National Weather Service HeatRisk Development Team This team devised the first high-resolution alert system that provides seven-day forecasts of possible heat risks in specific locations. Heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the U.S. The team’s innovative work enables emergency managers and public health officials to proactively protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat. Chad Kahler, Michael Staudenmaier Jr., Mark Loeffelbein and the National Weather Service HeatRisk Development Team Pavan Pidugu from the Department of Transportation As chief technology officer for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pavan Pidugu revolutionized technology used to oversee the commercial motor carrier industry. His innovations significantly improved highway safety, saved countless lives on the road and generated millions in taxpayer savings. Pavan Pidugu, chief information officer, Department of Transportation Increasing access to affordable medication and enabling industry innovation These civil servants increased access to affordable medication and transformed key industries, enabling economic growth and improved public health. Christina Ritter, Lara Strawbridge, Daniel Heider and the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Team from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services This team spearheaded groundbreaking negotiations that successfully lowered the price of 10 prescription drugs covered by Medicare Part D. Their work has saved both seniors and the federal government billions of dollars and enhancing access to affordable medication. Christina Ritter, Lara Strawbridge, Daniel Heider and the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Team from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Johnie Jenkins from the Agricultural Research Service As a distinguished senior scientist at the Department of Agriculture, Johnie Jenkins has dedicated 64 years to revolutionizing the cotton industry. He led pivotal research to eradicate the voracious boll weevil from cotton plants, resulting in higher cotton yields and less need for harmful insecticides. Johnie Jenkins, Ph.D, research geneticist and distinguished senior research scientist, Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture Providing critical foreign aid Kathleen Kirsch from the U.S. Agency for International Development As a former foreign service engineering officer at USAID, Kathleen Kirsch led critical U.S. efforts to defend and rebuild Ukraine’s energy infrastructure against Russian attacks. Her work ensured millions of Ukrainians had access to electricity, heat and shelter during the war. Kathleen Kirsch, former foreign service engineering officer, USAID/Ukraine Office of Critical Infrastructure, U.S. Agency for International Development These Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals honorees truly embody a government dedicated to solving complex challenges. Their commitment to public service ensures our government continues to meet our critical needs and drives a brighter future for all. Read our honorees’ profiles to learn more about their achievements, and sign an e-card to congratulate these exceptional public servants.
