Nomination

Nominations are open until 31 DEC 08 for the Society of US Army Flight Surgeons' awards. All nominations will be reviewed by the Awards Committee for selection and awards will be announced at the 2009 Medicine in Challenging Environments (MICE) Conference 2-6 FEB 09 in Galveston, Texas; on the Society website; and in the Spring 2009 Society Newsletter. Awards will be sent to unit commands for presentation. Anyone may submit a flight surgeon or aeromedical physician assistant (APA) for an award. As per IAW Article IX of the By-Laws, the awards are as follows: Spurgeon H Neel US Army Distinguished Flight Surgeon/APA; Theodore Lyster Flight Surgeon/APA of the Year; Army Aerospace Medicine Specialist of the Year; Outstanding Achievement Award; and Aeromedical Order of Merit. Specific criteria are available at the following link or below: http://www.trueresearch.org/sousafs/files/Constitution%20and%20Bylaws.pdf.

Nominations may be submitted electronically and must include both name and rank, unit assigned and email address of both nominee and those submitting the award nomination as well as the category of award nominated for. A narrative detailing the individual’s contributions in aviation medicine of not more than two typewritten pages must be submitted to the Acting Society Secretary, LTC Persson at james.persson@us.army.mil or the Acting Society President, COL Bernstein, stephen.bernstein@us.army.mil. This is an excellent opportunity to recognize your aeromedical providers who are contributing so much to your units both at home station and in deployment settings. If you have questions, please direct them to the Society Secretary listed above.

Criteria for Awards:

Spurgeon H. Neel US Army Distinguished Flight Surgeon.
This award shall be presented to a Flight Surgeon who has personified the traits and characteristics of the ideal Army Flight Surgeon as determined by the Awards Committee. It will normally be awarded for outstanding accomplishment as an operational unit level Flight Surgeon or Aeromedical Physician Assistant.

Theodore Lyster Flight Surgeon of the Year.
This award shall be presented annually to the Flight Surgeon or Aeromedical Physician Assistant in the Active or Reserve Component who has made the most significant contribution to Army Aviation Medicine during the year as observed by his or her fellow Flight Surgeons, Aviators, or Chain of Command.

Army Aerospace Medicine Specialist of the Year.
This award will be presented annually to the Specialist in Aviation Medicine who has been selected by the Awards Committee amongst all those currently serving in the US Army, as the Aerospace Medicine Specialist who has made the most significant contribution to Army Aviation Medicine during the year. This individual may be assigned to any command within the Army, but must be certified as a Specialist in Aerospace Medicine. Recommendations from fellow Flight Surgeons, Aviators, or Chain of Command are encouraged, but need not be received for consideration for this award.

Outstanding Achievement Award.
This may be presented to any Army Flight Surgeon, Aeromedical Physician Assistant, and Associate Member, at any time when the Awards Committee feels it is justified. It may be used to recognize a specific action or achievement. More than one presentation may be made during the year, and there shall no requirement to make the award during any year.

Aeromedical Order of Merit.
The purpose of the Aeromedical Order of Merit is to recognize individuals who have selflessly contributed to the advancement, growth, or maintenance of US Army Aviation Medicine. This award may be presented to any individual who has, in the opinion of the Awards Committee, met the purpose of the award. More than one presentation may be made during any year. The Order of Aeromedical Merit shall consist of a medallion with neck ribbon and will normally be presented to selected individuals, if any, during the OAP General Membership Meeting. The medallion may be worn only when attending US Army Medical Department, Society, or AsMA social occasions requiring formal or informal attire.

Thank you for your support of the aeromedical community.

COL Stephen Bernstein
President, Society of US Army Flight Surgeons