ElevateMeD Recognizes Dr. Richard Carmona with 2026 Breaking Barriers Award
Dr. Richard Carmona Recognized as 2026 Breaking Barriers Award Recipient at Explosion of a Dream 2026
PHOENIX, AZ - ElevateMeD is proud to announce its sixth Breaking Barriers Award recipient, Dr. Richard Carmona. The ElevateMeD Breaking Barriers Award was established in 2020 to recognize physician leaders whose work addressing gaps in healthcare outcomes is positively and innovatively advancing opportunity within medicine. Dr. Carmona will be recognized with the ElevateMeD Breaking Barriers Award at its upcoming Explosion of a Dream event on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at The Camby. The honor celebrates Dr. Carmona’s distinguished public service, physician leadership, and lifelong commitment to advancing public health and improving access to care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Carmona has combined medicine, public service, and community engagement to improve health outcomes and expand access to care. His leadership and commitment to service exemplify the spirit of the Breaking Barriers Award and the possibilities ElevateMeD seeks to inspire in future physician leaders.
“It’s very meaningful to me because I know the journey that many other young men and women are going through. It is wonderful to see an organization like ElevateMeD bringing people together and reaching future physicians to help remove barriers so they can become everything they are capable of being. These are the physicians who understand how to connect with their communities and provide compassionate, empathetic care to people who need it.”
About Dr. Richard CArmona
Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS
2026 ElevateMeD Break Barriers Award Honoree
17th Surgeon General of the United States (2002-2006)
Chief of Health Innovations, Canyon Ranch
Distinguished Laureate Professor, University of Arizona
Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, is the 17th Surgeon General of the United States, a physician, public health leader, and decorated U.S. Army Special Forces Vietnam Veteran. Born to a poor Hispanic family in New York City, Dr. Carmona experienced homelessness, hunger, and health disparities during his youth, experiences that shaped his lifelong commitment to improving health and opportunity.
After dropping out of high school, Dr. Carmona enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967, earned his GED while serving, and later attended the University of California, San Francisco, where he earned his bachelor’s and medical degrees. Trained in general and vascular surgery, trauma, burns and critical care, he went on to help establish Arizona’s first certified regional trauma care system and held leadership roles across medicine, public health, emergency response, and law enforcement.
In 2002, Dr. Carmona was nominated by the President and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 17th Surgeon General of the United States. During his tenure, he focused on prevention, preparedness, health disparities, health literacy, and global health.
Following his service as Surgeon General, Dr. Carmona joined Canyon Ranch, where he continues his leadership as Chief of Health Innovations. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to public service, prevention, and improving health outcomes for communities.
About the event
ElevateMeD will formally recognize the award during its dinner program at its Explosion of Dream event at The Camby on Saturday, September 19, 2026. The event features a dynamic dinner program featuring live entertainment, an exciting live auction, award presentations, and the keynote address delivered by ElevateMeD Scholar Dr. Naomi Coles-Strickland. Learn more in the official event press release.
Limited tickets and tables are available for purchase at dream.elevatemed.org through September 11.
ABOUT ELEVATEMED:
ElevateMeD is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to elevating medicine by providing scholarships, mentorship, leadership training, and financial literacy education to the next generation of physician leaders. Through the Scholars Program, the organization will increase representation in medicine and improve cultural competence among physicians to reduce health disparities. Learn more about the mission and vision by visiting elevatemed.org and connecting on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook @elevatemedinc.
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