Congressman Raul Ruiz, MD, MPH, MPP (Calif.-25), a founding faculty member of the UCR School of Medicine who created the Future Physician Leaders Pathway Program, has been named one of five recipients of the 2025 AAMC ACE Award for Advocacy, Collaboration, and Education. The award recognizes individuals who partner with the nation’s medical schools, academic health systems, and teaching hospitals to advance the health of patients, families, and communities across the country.

Ruiz was presented with the award on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, while meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Leadership Conference.

“The AAMC is excited to celebrate the 2025 ACE Award recipients for their leadership and impact across academic medicine,” said AAMC Chief Public Policy Officer Danielle Turnipseed. “Now more than ever, the academic medicine community must come together with the shared purpose of improving the health of people everywhere. These five leaders demonstrate how collaboration, advocacy, and education can strengthen health outcomes. We are inspired by their achievements and look forward to building on their efforts to advance our shared mission.”

The other four recipients are Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (Va.-03),  Michellene Davis, Esq., Maria L. Soto-Greene, MD, MS-HPEd, FACP, and David Cazares Dorantes.

"I want to extend my congratulations to Congressman Raul Ruiz on receiving the 2025 AAMC ACE Award," said Deborah Deas, MD, MPH, the Mark and Pam Rubin Dean of the School of Medicine and vice chancellor for health sciences. "Dr. Ruiz has long been a tireless advocate for improving access to care and expanding the physician workforce, especially in underserved communities like the Coachella Valley. His vision and leadership helped lay the foundation for the UC Riverside School of Medicine’s Pathway Programs, and his mentorship of future physicians continues to make an extraordinary impact. We are so proud to see his dedication recognized on a national stage."

While Ruiz was working as an emergency room physician at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., he co-founded the UCR SOM's Future Physician Leaders Pathway Program in 2009, a summer program for premedical students from Inland Southern California who are dedicated to improving the health of their community. In 2010 he was appointed as a senior associate dean of community engagement and parthership at the UCR SOM.

"I am excited to learn that Congressman Ruiz has received the 2025 AAMC ACE Award for Advocacy, Collaboration, and Education," said Teresa Cofield, director of Pathway Programs at the UCR School of Medicine. "He led and created the Future Physician Leaders program which has supported hundreds of students from the Coachella Valley in their educational journey. Congressman Ruiz inspires students and introduced them to community health, advice, and a commitment to service. It is a privilege to hear from the alumni who have gone on to be health professionals and physicians. Because of Congressman Ruiz’s contributions, we are preparing the next generation of leaders in health care."

In 2012 Ruiz was elected to the US House of Representatives in the 25th district, which includes Imperial County, the Eastern Coachella Valley, and the cities of Banning, Beaumont, Blythe, Hemet, Needles, and San Jacinto.