The AAMC formally presented Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) with the 2025 Champion of Academic Medicine Award on Tuesday, July 8, following an announcement of award recipients during Academic Medicine Week in June [refer to Washington Highlights, June 27]. Boozman received the award for his steadfast leadership and advocacy on Medicare-supported graduate medical education (GME), including by co-leading the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act, a key AAMC advocacy priority. He has also worked to ensure vital funding for physician training, clinical care, and medical research programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. The AAMC was joined by leaders from AAMC-member institutions in Arkansas, including Cam Patterson, MD, MBA, chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Sharmila Makhija, MD,MBA, founding dean of the new Alice L. Walton School of Medicine.
Pictured from left to right: AAMC Chief Public Policy Officer Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP; AAMC President and CEO, David Skorton, MD; Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.);