CDC honored with two Sammie Award winners

Two CDC scientists – Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp and Dr. Margaret (Peggy) Honein – have won 2018 Service to America Medals. Better known as “Sammies,” the prestigious public health awards recognize the talents and achievements of federal employees.

“These two top researchers are a shining example of CDC’s commitment to excellence in science,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “Their accomplishments have improved – are still improving – the health of our families and our Nation.”

Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, M.D. is the winner of the Career Achievement Medal, which recognizes a federal employee for leading significant and sustained accomplishments throughout a federal career of 20-plus years. Dr. Yeargin-Allsopp, an epidemiologist and a pediatrician, is the Associate Director for Children with Special Heath Care Needs at CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD). She is a public health leader and champion for children with special health care needs. In her current role at CDC, Dr. Yeargin-Allsopp works on issues ranging from autism to cerebral palsy.

Margaret (Peggy) Honein, Ph.D., M.P.H. is the winner of the Science and Environment Medal, which recognizes a federal employee or team for a significant accomplishment in fields such as biomedicine, economics, energy, information technology, meteorology, resource conservation and space. Dr. Honein is an epidemiologist in NCBDDD and the Director of the Division of Congenital and Developmental Disorders. She was co-lead for the Pregnancy and Birth Defects Task Force during CDC’S Emergency Zika Response. In this role, Dr. Honein oversaw the work to better understand the impact of Zika virus infection during pregnancy.

“The Service to America Medals are among the highest achievements of government service and we are so proud and honored to have two employees receiving these prestigious awards this year,” said Coleen Boyle, Ph.D., MSHyg, Director, CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. “These awards recognize the achievements and dedication of Dr. Yeargin-Allsopp and Dr. Honein and we hope they will also inspire other talented individuals to pursue a public service career.”

The Sammies will be presented at the 17^th annual Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals Awards Gala on October 2, 2018, in Washington, DC.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.