2023 Gold Medal Award

The group is recognized for leading rapid development and distribution of a positive control reference material to ensure the validity of mpox diagnostic testing. In consultation with other agencies, the team designed, manufactured, tested, and packaged materials within an unprecedented 30 days. The material was ready for global distribution two days after the World Health Organization declared mpox as a global public health emergency. This critical effort supported rapid expansion of U.S. testing capacity and provided the means for the CDC to continue to monitor the performance of global testing.