Williamsburg, VA - American Medical Association (AMA) President Nancy H. Nielsen, M.D., Ph.D., has been with the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) Elizabeth Blackwell Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the cause of women in the field of medicine.

"In her role as AMA president, Dr. Nielsen is leading the charge for meaningful health-care reform to benefit patients and physicians, and her work to raise awareness of the uninsured has been inspiring," said Nancy Church, M.D., chair of AMWA Awards and Nominations Committee. "Dr. Nielsen is a trailblazer and is a true role model for women who aspire to have a career in medicine and leadership."

Dr. Nielsen is a recognized expert on health-care quality, and is actively involved in ongoing efforts by the physician community and health-care stakeholders to promote a system focused on high quality patient care. In addition to serving as AMA president, she is currently senior associate dean for medical education at the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo. Dr. Nielsen served as speaker of the AMA House of Delegates from 2003 to 2007 and vice-speaker for the three preceding years.

"I am truly honored to be granted this prestigious award from my peers at AMWA," said Dr. Nielsen. "Being viewed by others as a role model is an honor and a responsibility which I take very seriously. I encourage all of my colleagues in medicine to join in our work to improve the health-care system in our country and to mentor the next generation of physicians."

The Elizabeth Blackwell Award was created as a lasting tribute to the first woman awarded a Doctor of Medicine degree from an American medical school. Upon graduation, Dr. Blackwell founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children. Later, she helped found the National Health Society, was the first woman to be placed on the British Medical Register, and taught at England's first college of medicine for women.

AMA President Dr. Nielsen is playing a key leadership role in health-care reform. Health-system reform is needed to better serve patients and to empower physicians to deliver the highest quality care. The American Medical Association is committed to reform that covers everyone with a choice of portable insurance, increases the value our nation receives from its health-care spending, and enhances prevention and wellness for America's patients.

About the American Medical Association
The American Medical Association helps doctors help patients by uniting physicians nationwide to work on the most important professional and public health issues. Working together, the AMA's quarter of a million physician and medical student members are playing an active role in shaping the future of medicine. For more information on the AMA, please visit www.ama-assn.org.

About the American Medical Women's Association
The American Medical Women's Association is an organization which functions at the local, national, and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women's health. We achieve this by providing and developing leadership, advocacy, education, expertise, mentoring, and through building strategic alliances.

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