Gordon DeFriese has been named the 2026 recipient of the Jonathan B. Howes Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Retired Faculty and Professionals Association (RFPA) during their April 8 Lunch & Learn event. DeFriese, who served as director of the Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for 27 years, has made significant contributions across various departments, including Sociology and Medicine. His leadership extended to roles such as co-director of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars program and founding director of UNC’s Institute on Aging. DeFriese's influence is not limited to academia; he was appointed to the first United States Preventive Services Taskforce and has served as editor for several medical journals. Internationally, he has advised the World Health Organization and the state of Israel. In addition to his previous accolades, he remains active in research and teaching, contributing to health initiatives in North Carolina through his work with FutureCare North Carolina. The Jonathan B. Howes Lifetime Achievement Award, established to recognize exceptional service by retired faculty, has honored several distinguished individuals since its inception in 2015.