Offit says that celebs like Maher are noticed as "a lot less credible" and would continue to be thought of just "excellent amusement" if they weren't joined by the former Director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Bernadine Healy and influential pediatrician, Dr. Robert Sears. 1939: the National Academy of Sciences awarded Hoover its Public Welfare Medal. 1955: President Dwight D. Eisenhower awarded Hoover the National Security Medal.