On June 7, nine health care professionals were honored by the AMA Foundation at the 2025 Excellence in Medicine Awards ceremony. The ceremony took place during the AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago, where honorees were recognized for exemplifying the highest values of volunteerism, community engagement, and dedication to underserved populations. In recognition of their achievements, each awardee selected an organization to receive a grant honorarium.
The AMA Foundation is honored to celebrate these individuals and the impact they’ve made across the country.
Dr. Debasish Mridha Spirit of Medicine Award
Sarah L. Kimball, MD
Dr. Sarah Kimball (she/her) is a board-certified internist and associate professor at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed her residency in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Kimball is a national leader in immigration-informed medical care and directs the Immigrant and Refugee Health Center at Boston Medical Center, a comprehensive medical home designed to address the unique barriers immigrant patients face. Her work focuses on building responsive health systems that promote holistic health and equity for immigrant communities.
In honor of Dr. Kimball, a grant was awarded to the Rian Immigrant Center
Dr. Edmond and Rima Cabbabe Dedication to the Profession Award
Tracey L. Henry, MD, MPH, MS
Dr. Tracey Henry (she/her) is an associate professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and an attending physician at Grady Memorial Hospital, where she provides primary care to underserved populations. She co-directs Emory’s Health Equity, Advocacy, and Policy track for graduate medical education and is the founding director of the endowed EMPACT Program, which supports students historically underrepresented in medicine. She earned her medical degree from Georgetown University and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. A national leader in health policy and medical education, Dr. Henry has served on advisory councils for the AMA, Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and Society of General Internal Medicine. She helped establish the Coalition for Responsible Kidney Care in Georgia and has held leadership roles with the AMA House of Delegates and the ACP. Her work advancing health equity and transforming health systems has earned her the AMA Inspirational Physician Award, ACP’s McDonald National Award, and American Medical Woman’s Association Exceptional Mentor Award.
In honor of Dr. Henry, a grant was awarded to the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.
Dr. Jacqueline A. Bello Friend of the AMA Foundation Award
Denise C. Foy
Denise Foy (she/her) is the vice president of operations for AMA Health Solutions. She has held executive leadership roles across multiple industries, including CEO of PeopleScout and executive vice president of operations and human resources at APAC Teleservices. A longtime advocate and community leader, Foy has served on boards and capital campaign committees for organizations such as the Center on Halsted, Howard Brown Health, the Illinois Holocaust Museum, and the LGBT Community Fund at The Chicago Community Trust, helping raise more than $60 million. She is a recipient of the Human First Award, an inductee of the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame, and a founding trustee of the Illinois Holocaust Museum. Foy holds degrees from Wayne State University, and she serves as an ambassador to the AMA Foundation and the executive sponsor of the AMA Pride Employee Resource Group.
In honor of Denise Foy, a grant was awarded to Howard Brown Health
Excellence in LGBTQ Health Award – Physician
Alex S. Keuroghlian, MD, MPH
Dr. Alex Keuroghlian (they/them) is the director of education and training at The Fenway Institute and holds the Michele and Howard J. Kessler Chair in Public and Community Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). They are also an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Keuroghlian leads multiple Health Resources and Service Administration-funded initiatives to improve care for LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with HIV, including the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center and the 2iS Coordinating Center for Technical Assistance. They also direct the MGH Psychiatry Gender Identity Program and teach Harvard’s senior course in sexually and gender diverse health. An accomplished author and editor, Dr. Keuroghlian has published more than 175 works and edited two major textbooks on transgender and gender-affirming care.
In honor of Dr. Keuroghlian, a grant was awarded to the Fenway Institute
Excellence in LGBTQ Health Award – Medical Student
Elle Lett, MD, PhD, MA
Dr. Elle Lett (she/her) is a physician and statistician-epidemiologist whose work centers on health equity for queer and trans people of color. She holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), master’s degrees in statistics and biostatistics from Penn’s Wharton School and Duke University, and a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology from Harvard College. Dr. Lett’s research spans transgender health, reproductive justice, representation in medicine, and fairness in machine learning. She will begin an emergency medicine residency this summer, where she will continue applying her interdisciplinary expertise to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.
In honor of Dr. Lett, a grant was awarded to Galaei
International Award in Medicine
Alexander C. Hwang, MD
Dr. Alexander Hwang (he/him) is a U.S. Air Force major and emergency physician serving as emergency services medical director at Osan Air Base in South Korea. As the only emergency medically trained Air Force physician on the peninsula, he provides care to more than 24,000 beneficiaries and leads disaster response for the 51st Fighter Wing. Dr. Hwang has strengthened cross-border trauma systems and expanded access to critical care through partnerships with U.S. and Korean militaries and civilian institutions. He actively contributes to multinational medical forums and exercises. He was named Pacific Air Forces Physician of the Year in 2023, awarded honorary lifetime membership in the Korean Military Medical Association, and received the Navy Achievement Medal for his role in a maritime special operations mission.
In honor of Dr. Hwang, a grant was awarded to the University of California Davis, Emergency Medicine Department
Jack B. McConnell, MD, Award for Excellence in Volunteerism
Carrie A. Horwitch MD, MPH
Dr. Carrie Horwitch (she/her) is a board-certified internal medicine physician with more than 30 years of experience in primary and HIV care. She spent two decades teaching at Virginia Mason Medical Center and now volunteers with the Medical Alumni Volunteer Expert Network Project and Health Volunteers Overseas, mentoring clinicians and teaching in Uganda. She earned her medical degree from the University of Arizona and a Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Horwitch serves as vice president of the Washington State Medical Association Foundation, trustee of the Washington State Medical Association, and president-elect of the Washington State Public Health Association. A certified laughter leader since 2007, she directs workshops on humor, medical improv, and communication. Dr. Horwitch is also the author of “Death of My Uterus and Other Humorous Events.”
In honor of Dr. Horwitch, a grant was awarded to the MAVEN Project
Outstanding International Medical Graduate
Victor Ekuta, MD
Dr. Victor Ekuta (he/him) is a neurology resident at Morehouse School of Medicine and an award-winning physician-scientist dedicated to advancing brain health equity. As the first Black male resident in his program’s history, he brings a pioneering spirit to his clinical work, research, and advocacy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy-neuroscience-psychology from Washington University in St. Louis and a medical degree from Xavier University School of Medicine. His research at institutions including the NIH, Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania focuses on racial disparities in Alzheimer’s disease and post-stroke aphasia. Dr. Ekuta is a recipient of the Cell Press Rising Black Scientist Award and the Rock Health Top 50 in Digital Health Award. He mentors underrepresented students and serves on the American Academy of Neurology Undergraduate Education Subcommittee.
In honor of Dr. Ekuta, a grant was awarded to Black Men’s Brain Health
Victor Ekuta, MD
Pride in the Profession Award
Howard Pride, MD
Dr. Howard Pride (he/him), a board-certified dermatologist, has been practicing pediatric dermatology at Geisinger in Pennsylvania since 1993, where he also served as chairman of the dermatology department for six years. He is currently with the Carilion Clinic in Virginia. Dr. Pride is co-author of a pediatric dermatology textbook and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. He has served as the director of Camp Discovery, Pennsylvania (formerly Camp Horizon)—a camp for children with chronic skin diseases—since its inception in 1995 and the chairman for the American Academy of Dermatology’s Camp Discovery. His work in this area is recognized by presidential citations and the American Academy of Dermatology’s Golden Triangle Award. Dr. Pride is a past president of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.
In honor of Dr. Pride, a grant was awarded to Healthy Ninos Honduras
About the Excellence in Medicine Awards
Through the Excellence in Medicine Awards, the AMA Foundation recognizes physicians and medical advocates who exemplify the highest values of volunteerism, community engagement, and dedication to the care of underserved populations. Recipients are honored at an awards ceremony during the AMA Annual Meeting of the House of Delegates in Chicago and select a health-focused organization for a grant honorarium.
To support the AMA Foundation awards and other programs, visit amafoundation.org/programs/.
About the AMA Foundation
As the philanthropic arm of the American Medical Association (AMA), the AMA Foundation has a rich legacy of supporting medical students and education, championing physician leadership and nurturing community health collaborations.
The foundation is committed to sustaining its support in these crucial areas and advancing efforts to convene physicians, industry specialists and community partners to create a significant and meaningful impact on health care.
