Collins, Fauci Receive Richardson Public Service Honor

ELR Prize committee chair Michael Rogers (l) presents award virtually to Dr. Francis Collins (c) and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Former NIH director Dr. Francis Collins, who currently serves as a senior investigator in the intramural program of the National Human Genome Research Institute and was recently appointed acting science advisor to President Joe Biden, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical advisor to the President, received the 2022 Elliot L. Richardson Prize for Excellence in Public Service. This prize is presented annually by the National Academy of Public Administration. Both NIH’ers were also inducted as honorary members of the academy.

The award recognizes individuals for extraordinary public service, in the tradition of the late Richardson, who served as a beacon of integrity and commitment to public service. Richardson served in four Cabinet-level positions in the federal government, including secretary of health, education and welfare; secretary of defense; attorney general; and secretary of commerce.

According to its bylaws, the prize is awarded to individuals “possessing the public service virtues Richardson exemplified and [who] have demonstrated achievement significantly advancing the public good, and long-term dedication to public service.” Honorees additionally have shown “generosity of spirit, thoughtfulness in the pursuit of excellence in government, courage and integrity.”