Donald May
By Jackie Osborne, BSJ ’19
From Compass
Ohio University alumni gathered in Washington, D.C., to honor those dedicated to public service, including a Political Science alum whose policy work ensures Medicare patients health care access.
Donald May ’92 received this year’s Federal Government Alumni Award from Ohio University.
More than 90 alumni and friends attended the 6th Annual Federal Government Luncheon Sept. 7 at the National Press Club.
Hosted by the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, it reconnects Bobcats who work in public service for the U.S government and honors one of their own.
OHIO’s newest President Duane Nellis served as this year’s keynote speaker. In his remarks, he thanked the alumni for their dedication to public service and the United States.
“It is because of you that Ohio University holds a place of prominence and a distinguished legacy of public service to our nation,” Nellis said.
He continued to speak of many points of pride for Ohio University and why he chose to come to the city of Athens.
Following President Nellis’ address, Voinovich School Dean Mark Weinberg and 2015 honoree Rick May introduced the winner of this year’s Federal Government Alumni Award, Donald May ’92.
“I was surprised and pleased. It was a great honor,” May said.
May graduated from Ohio University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and he received his master’s degree in public administration from Ohio State University. While at OHIO, he was president of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and played the tuba as part of the Marching 110.
May currently serves as the executive vice president of the payment and health care delivery policy for the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed).
His work focuses on ensuring the Medicare program has policies in place that allow Medicare patients access to medical technologies when they visit their doctor. That medical technology includes, hip and knee replacements, pacemakers, needles, and hospital beds.
“Basically, everything that’s in a hospital that isn’t a doctor or a nurse, or the actual building,” he said.
Prior to working with AdvaMed, he served with Farragut Square Group as managing director and spent 12 years with the American Hospital Association as their vice president of policy. He also spent time working on health policy with the Ohio Medicaid program.
Criteria for the Federal Government Alumni Award include significant achievement in one’s profession, significant public service to the United States and service contributions to the public affair programs at Ohio University, according to the Voinovich School.
“My goal in what I’ve been doing for the past 20 years is to try and educate, and to make sure that the people making the laws and the rules for accessing health care know how that really plays out for physicians and hospitals,” May said.
He plays a key role in shaping AdvaMed’s policy development and leads the organization’s research for advocacy aimed at “highlighting the impact of federal regulations on patient access to advanced medical technologies, as well as the value, cost and clinical benefits of medical technologies,” according to his AdvaMed bio.
In speaking about the importance of the event, Dean Weinberg included a quote from the late Senator George Voinovich, who strongly believed in the calling of public service throughout his life.
“I believe the government’s highest calling is to empower people and galvanize their energy and resources to help solve our problems, meet our challenges, and seize our opportunities” Voinovich had said.
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