USC Health magazine recently received the Association of American Medical Colleges’ (AAMC) top honor in the AAMC/GIA Awards for Excellence, which recognize outstanding work by members of the Group on Institutional Advancement.

USC Health topped more than 170 entries in receiving the highest honor in periodical publications produced primarily for an external constituency. USC Health is produced by the HSC Office of Public Relations and Marketing, designed by the Warren Group and printed by Colorgraphics, Inc. Carol Chaplin Varma, director of publications, is the editor.

This year’s competition focused on GIA members’ achievements that lay the groundwork for program excellence at their institutions. Successful entries demonstrated how the "part" adds value to the whole—both now and for the long term. According to the AAMC, the winning designs are models to encourage member institutions to develop and maintain high-quality institutional advancement programs, promote professionalism in alumni affairs, development, public relations and marketing to medical schools and teaching hospitals, procure resource materials for AAMC/GIA members and acknowledge and reward meritorious achievement.