Richard E. Besser

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Records

Richard Besser's career is marked by a series of notable firsts and honors that reflect his impact on public health. He is one of the few physicians to have led the CDC during a pandemic, and his transition to a major media role made him a trusted household name in health journalism. His leadership at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has been recognized globally, with Time naming him one of the 100 most influential philanthropists in 2026. Besser's ability to combine clinical expertise, policy acumen, and communication skill is rare, and his work has influenced how Americans understand and respond to health crises.

AwardsRichard Besser has received several prestigious honors for his public health leadership and medical communication. He won the Surgeon General's Medallion in 2009 for his work during the H1N1 pandemic response, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Dean's Medal in 2011, the Overseas Press Club Award for Global Health Coverage in 2012, a Peabody Award in 2013, and an Emmy Award in 2017. He is also an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Honours & Distinctions

Member, National Academy of Medicine

National Academy of Medicine00

Elected membership, recognizing outstanding professional achievement in health and medicine.

TIME100 Philanthropy

Time Magazine·2026

Named one of the world's 100 most influential philanthropists.

Board of Trustees, Howard University

Howard University·2022

Serves on the board of the historically Black university.

Rankings & Lists

#100

TIME100 Philanthropy

Time Magazine·2026

Records & Feats

Led CDC response to H1N1 pandemic as acting director

Career Milestone·2009

Served as acting director of the CDC during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, guiding the agency's response.

First chief health and medical editor at ABC News to report from seven countries in a single initiative

Career Milestone·2011

Led ABC's 'Be the Change: Save a Life' global health coverage, reporting from seven countries in 2011.