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2020 Distinguished Kansans worked to help others in difficult year
Rick Bright, Tonja Harrison, Meg Heriford, Mark Denison, Noah Lindquist, Dennis Ruhnke, Jimmie Pottberg, Theresa Gee, Amy Schremmer and Teresa Walters are 2020 Distinguished Kansans for their efforts.
Topeka Capital-Journal
Hutchinson native
Rick Bright was director of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, the federal agency involved in developing novel coronavirus vaccines, drugs, and tests, when demoted in April for raising concerns about the Trump administration’s COVID-19 response.
In a subsequent whistleblower complaint, Bright, who also served as deputy assistant secretary for Preparedness and Response, alleged his early warnings about the virus were ignored and his opposition to President Donald Trump’s touting of the drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19 led to his reassignment.