DiGirolamo Honored by American Medical Association - National organization cites his work to improve public health

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Medical Association (AMA) honored Rep. Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bucks) as one of its recipients of the 2016 Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service – the highest award for elected officials and government employees from the nation’s largest physician organization.

The award, named after the founding father of the AMA, recognizes elected and career officials in federal, state or municipal service whose outstanding contributions have promoted the art and science of medicine and the betterment of public health.

Specifically, DiGirolamo, who currently serves as chairman of the House Human Services Committee, was honored with the Outstanding Member of a State Legislature Award, which is part of the 2016 Dr. Nathan Davis Awards.

In the nomination for the award, DiGirolamo was cited for his dedication to advocacy for addiction treatment, a major public health crisis in Pennsylvania and the nation. During his tenure in the House, he has authored legislation to create the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to streamline and better coordinate services, and was instrumental in the passage of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

“It is an honor to recognize Rep. DiGirolamo for his contributions to a coordinated public health strategy that addresses Pennsylvania’s opioid epidemic,” said AMA Chair Stephen R. Permut M.D. “He has championed state solutions that enhance patient care, identify potential signs of prescription drug abuse, and save lives from opioid overdoses.”

“I cannot tell you how humbled, yet excited, I am to be receiving this national honor,” DiGirolamo said. “My greatest reward has been helping people, whether they are working to overcome addiction or have access to programs and services to help them live better, healthier lives.

“It is an honor to be able to reach so many more people through my service as the chairman of the House Human Services Committee, where our reach can extend beyond the 18th District and into every corner of the Commonwealth,” he continued. “I also want to thank all of the people I’ve encountered during my time in the state House, because it’s through their experiences that I’ve been able to work with so many partners to increase funding or create positive public policy.”

DiGirolamo was one of eight government officials to be honored, including former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio); current House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California); and West Virginia State Sen. Ron Stollings, M.D.; along with the former surgeon general of the U.S. Air Force and a former director within the Food and Drug Administration.

The awards were presented Feb. 23 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., as part of the AMA’s National Advocacy Conference.

Rep. Gene DiGirolamo was honored by the American Medical Association as one of its recipients of the 2016 Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service – the highest award for elected officials and government employees from the nation’s largest physician organization. Pictured with DiGirolamo are MSNBC co-host and former Congressman Joe Scarborough and AMA Chair Stephen R. Permut M.D.