News

The Friends of the National Library of Medicine (FNLM) is delighted to announce its 2025 Annual Awards Gala, which will take place September 8, 2025, at the historic Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC. This premier event will bring together leaders from the medical, library, and research communities to recognize outstanding contributions to medical science, public service, and health information access.

The Friends of the NLM is proud to honor six exceptional individuals whose work has significantly advanced biomedical research, public engagement, and healthcare innovation:

• Dr. Joel Habener, Dr. Svetlana Mojsov, and Dr. Lotte Bjerre Knudsen will receive the 2025 Distinguished Medical Science Award for their groundbreaking contributions to the development of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which have transformed the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, benefiting millions worldwide.
• Dr. Erin K. O’Shea, President of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), will receive the 2025 Paul G. Rogers Award for Public Service. Dr. O’Shea is recognized for her leadership in fostering an inclusive, high-quality scientific culture and her commitment to advancing biomedical research through innovation, education, and public engagement.
• Dr. H. Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief of Science, will be awarded the 2025 Donald A.B. Lindberg Award for Distinguished Health Communications. Dr. Thorp is honored for his outstanding leadership in scientific publishing and his dedication to making biomedical and health sciences accessible to both the scientific community and the public.
• Dr. Susan K. Newbold, PhD, RN, will receive the 2025 Friends of the NLM Nursing Informatics Award. Dr. Newbold is recognized for her exceptional contributions to the field of nursing informatics, her leadership in integrating technology into nursing practice, and her dedication to advancing healthcare through education and innovation. Based in Franklin, Tennessee, Dr. Newbold has played a pioneering role in shaping the discipline of nursing informatics, developing an award-winning Nursing Informatics Boot Camp, co-editing five books, and consulting internationally on informatics education and practice.

“These distinguished honorees exemplify the values and mission of the Friends of the NLM,” said Dr. Barbara Redman, Chair of the Friends of the NLM. “Their contributions to science, education, and public communication have made a lasting impact, and we are honored to celebrate their achievements at our Annual Gala.”

The Friends of the NLM Annual Gala serves as a key event in advancing awareness and support for the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world’s largest medical library. Proceeds from the evening will support FNLM’s mission to promote access to critical health information, research, and innovation.