To recognize an individual who has made major accomplishments in health improvement with emphasis on recent contributions to health in the United States, and with the general criteria of the greatest good for the greatest number.

To provide an annual award to one senior-level Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) employee who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, consistent with the CDC-ATSDR Honor Awards pre-established criteria for the Excellence in Leadership Award (GS-14+ level), which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional personal leadership capabilities (through outstanding acts, services, or achievements), exemplify commitment to CDC’s mission and represent the next generation of CDC leaders.

Betty Wolf has been named the vice president for advancement. In this role she oversees the planning, coordination and implementation of all fundraising activities for the CDC Foundation.

When a terrorist bomb exploded at the American Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya on August 7, 1998, Mary Louise Martin was among the 12 Americans and more than 200 Kenyans killed. In her memory, friends and colleagues established the Louise Martin, DVM, MS, EIS '85 Memorial Scholarship Endowment to provide scholarships for disadvantaged young women in Kenya to attend a national school.

To recognize a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employee who has demonstrated integrity consistent with CDC communication principles, often applied in challenging, high-pressure or emergency situations.

To provide an annual service award to a CDC employee for outstanding achievements.The CDC Medal of Excellence was established in 1977 as the premiere service award for CDC employees and was renamed for William Watson in 1985 on the occasion of his retirement from CDC. In 1999, Marge and William Watson established the Watson Endowment, which provides permanent funding for a cash award to be given by the Foundation to recipients of the Watson Medal of Excellence each year.