 As a result of her blocking American approval of thalidomide , Kelsey was awarded the President 's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service by President John F. Kennedy , becoming the second woman to receive that award . British Pathé released a film of Kennedy acknowledging Kelsey in a speech . After receiving the award , Kelsey continued her work at the FDA . There she played a key role in shaping and enforcing the 1962 amendments . She also became responsible for directing the surveillance of drug testing at the FDA . 
