Premier Ewart Brown was honoured at the National Medical Association (NMA) ceremony along with First Lady Michelle Obama. The ceremony took place in Orlando, Florida on July 31 where Dr. Brown was a recipient of the 2010 Scroll of Merit Award.

It is the NMA Board of Trustees' highest recognition the Premier was recognised for "his stellar leadership, outstanding humanitarian endeavours, dedicated and tenacious work in grass roots community medicine, and staunch support of medical education".

Mrs. Obama was honoured with the Scroll of Merit for her groundbreaking initiative, the "Let's Move" campaign to combat childhood obesity.

On the recognition, Dr. Brown said: "It was wonderful to be recognised with such an incredibly amazing group of individuals. I was deeply humbled and gratified to receive this honour. I have always believed that there is nothing more rewarding or fulfilling than service to others.

"My desire to become a doctor was driven by a deep and passionate drive to help people. It has been my singular honour to have my efforts recognised by the National Medical Association."

The US Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, who delivered the keynote address at the ceremony, was also a recipient of the Scroll of Merit Award. Each year the NMA recognises those who exemplify visionary leadership, service and extraordinary achievement in health care for people of colour.