The concept of a Distinguished Service Award was begun in 1962. It was not until 1964 that the first award was given.
There were two recipients for the first award:
- George R. Harmann, MD
- Milford O. Rouse, MD
The DSA recipients since then were:
1967 - G. V. Brindley, Sr., MD
1968 - Atticus James Gill, MD
1969 - May Owen, MD
1970 - Truman G. Blocker, Jr., MD
1971 - Jerrell E. Miller, MD
1972 - Mario Ramirez, MD
1973 - Howard O. Smith, MD
1974 - Harvey Renger, MD
1975 - Byron P. York, MD
1976 - Joe T. Nelson, MD
1977 - Wendell Hamrick, MD
1978 - Jose G. Rodarte, MD
1979 - Haden E. McKay, Jr., MD
1980 - Harvey Bell, MD and G. V. Brindley, Jr., MD
1981 - Don G. Harrell, MD
1982 - John M. Smith, MD
1983 - Robert D. Moreton, MD
1984 - Charles Max Cole, MD
1985 - Paul R. Meyer, MD
1986 - C. Lincoln Williston (Special Award)
1987 - Joseph L. Goldstein, MD, and Michael S. Brown, MD
1988 - John J. Hinchey, MD
1989 - James H. Sammons, MD
1990 - Merle W. Delmer, MD
1991 - Durwood E. Neal, MD
1992 - James C. Mann, MD
1993 - Drue O. D. Ware, MD
1994 - Ruth M. Bain, MD
1995 - Joseph T. Painter, MD
1996 - Jim Bob Brame, MD
1998 - Wm. Gordon McGee, MD - presented by Jim Bob Brame, MD
1999 - Sam A. Nixon, MD - presented by George G. Alexander, MD
2000 - George G. Alexander, MD - presented by Merle W. Delmer, MD
2001 - Milton V. Davis, MD - presented by Susan Rudd Wynn, MD
2002 - Betty P. Stephenson, MD - presented by Priscilla Ray, MD
2004 - Phil H. Berry Jr., MD - presented by Robert T. Gunby Jr., MD
2005 - William G. Gamel, MD - presented by J. James Rohack, MD
2006 - Mark J. Kubala, MD - presented by David Teuscher, MD
2007 - D. Clifford Burross, MD - presented by Max C. Butler, MD
2008 - Max C. Butler, MD - presented by D. Clifford Burross, MD
2009 - Robert M. Tenery, Jr., MD - presented by Hugh Lamensdorf, MD
2010 - Ladon W. Homer, MD - presented by Susan Rudd Bailey, MD
2011 - Bohn D. Allen, MD - presented by Paul Handel, MD
2012 - Virgina Boyd, MD - presented by Paul Thames, MD
2013 - Ernest C. Butler, MD
2014 - Alan C. Baum, MD
2015 - Donald Wayne Seldin, MD
2016 - Joseph P. Annis, MD
2017 - Robert Gunby, Jr., MD
2018 - Surendra K. Varma, MD
2019 - Don Read, MD
2020 - Josie R. Williams, MD
2021 - William H. Fleming III, MD
2022 - David C. Fleeger, MD
2023 - Diana Fite, MD and Gilbert Handal, MD
2024 - U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, MD (R-Texas)
In 1965, 1966, and 1997 there were no awards given.