The American Medical Association (AMA) has presented U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) with the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service.

A former governor, university president and U.S. Secretary of Education with a bipartisan approach to legislating, Alexander has spearheaded significant healthcare bills, including the "21st Century Cures Act," which included provisions to help get treatment and cures to patients faster and comprehensive mental health legislation, and the "SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act" - a legislative package to address opioid use disorders.

Since 2015, Sen. Alexander has served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Formerly a member of the Senate Republican Leadership team, Sen. Alexander stepped down from that position to forge relationships, and build bipartisan consensus on important issues.

Sen. Alexander, who was nominated by the Tennessee Medical Association, was one of eight honorees chosen this year to receive the award.