Elizabeth McNeil, CMA Vice President of Federal Government Relations, received the Gary F. Krieger Speaker’s Recognition Award. Presented each year by the Speaker of the House, this award recognizes exceptional contributions to CMA and its House of Delegates.

The honor comes as McNeil retires after more than 34 years with CMA, concluding a career that has defined the organization’s advocacy at the federal level. An unflappable strategist and trusted advisor, McNeil has been a driving force behind CMA’s efforts to strengthen physician-led care and elevate California’s influence in Washington, D.C.

“Elizabeth has been the steady hand guiding CMA’s federal advocacy for more than three decades,” said CMA CEO Dustin Corcoran. “She’s done an absolutely incredible job representing California’s physicians in both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. It’s hard to imagine CMA without her—because, frankly, none of us have ever known CMA without her.”

Throughout her tenure, McNeil played a pivotal role in shaping every major federal health policy debate of the modern era—from Medicare reform and Affordable Care Act implementation to pandemic relief and telehealth expansion. Her calm intelligence, deep policy expertise and bipartisan credibility have made CMA a trusted voice on Capitol Hill.

“Elizabeth’s knowledge, strategic instincts, and unwavering commitment to physicians have elevated our entire profession,” said Speaker of the House George Fouras, M.D. “Her work has defined what excellence in advocacy looks like.”

CMA is proud to honor McNeil’s extraordinary service and enduring legacy of integrity, influence, and compassion as she embarks on her well-earned retirement.

Read more about Elizabeth McNeil's remarkable career and contributions in our companion feature, "A Legacy of Integrety and Influence."