Margaret D. Garikes

Margaret Garikes heads the Division of Federal Affairs for the American Medical Association. In this role, Ms. Garikes directs the AMA’s Division of Federal Affairs in its advocacy efforts with the White House and the entire executive branch of the federal government. The AMA’s Division of Federal Affairs deals with a broad range of health policy issues, including : ACA implementation, delivery and payment reform, quality, and electronic health records. Ms. Garikes coordinates with the AMA’s Divisions of Congressional Affairs, Legislative Counsels, State Legislation, and Media Affairs to develop advocacy strategies to address issues that impact patients and physicians.

Ms. Garikes became involved in health care issues while serving as a domestic policy analyst for the 1988 Bush-Quayle Campaign. After the campaign, Ms. Garikes chaired the Transition Team for the Department of Health and Human Services. Following the Transition, she worked as Associate Director of the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. Ms. Garikes then returned to the Department of Health and Human Services where she served as Chief of Staff to the Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service. She is the recipient of the Surgeon General’s Medallion and the HHS Secretary’s Award for Excellence. Ms. Garikes received her JD from Georgetown University Law Center and her BA from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.