Department of War health leaders and workers recognized for outstanding military medical service

Image of Department of War health leaders and workers recognized for outstanding military medical service. Department of War medical personnel receive prestigious awards from The Society of Federal Health Professionals. The awardees were honored for leadership, exceptional professionalism, and dedication to the mission of advancing federal health care.

Ten Department of War medical leaders and professionals were honored by The Society of Federal Health Professionals, called AMSUS, March 3, 2026, for distinguished leadership, exceptional professionalism, and dedication to the mission of advancing federal health care.

These awards are open to any health care professional from the federal health care system: U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Coast Guard, Defense Health Agency, DOW’s Uniformed Services University, U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“AMSUS is proud of providing the opportunity to recognize people throughout your agencies,” said Ken Canestrini, the society’s deputy executive director.

DOW personnel earned 10 of the 15 categories. DOW honorees are:

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Debra Niemeyer, DHA, 59th Medical Wing, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Texas
  • Rising Star Award: Lt. Col. Kristen Romanelli-West, DHA, Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas
  • Dentist Award: Cmdr. James Hawkins, Naval Postgraduate Dental School, Bethesda, Maryland
  • Management and Administration Award: Lt. Col. Nathan Reynolds, 9th Medical Group, Beale Air Force Base, California
  • Nursing Award: Dr. Jouhayna Bajjani-Gebara, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland
  • Operational Medicine Award: Col. (Dr.) Matthew Streitz, Ali Al Slalem Air Base, Kuwait
  • Physician Award: Dr. Kelsey White, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany
  • Junior Enlisted, Lewis L. Seaman Enlisted Award: Staff Sgt. Sarah McKnight, DHA, Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas
  • Senior Enlisted, Lewis L. Seaman Enlisted Award: Master Sgt. Adam Whiteman, 9th Medical Group, Beale Air Force Base, California
  • William Gorgas Preventive Medicine Award: Lt. Col. Sean Dyson, 9th Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina

You also may be interested in...

Article
Aug. 26, 2026

A new front on cancer: Walter Reed’s Murtha Cancer Center unleashes cutting-edge CAR-T therapy

Walter Reed gains approval for CAR-T cell treatment

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Murtha Cancer Center was recently approved to deliver an advanced form of treatment for cancer. The therapy, known as Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, allows Walter Reed to treat patients with forms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia by reprogramming their own blood cells ...

Article
Aug. 26, 2026

Walter Reed young investigator recognized for research

Young investigator award recipient

Investigating an innovative procedure to save service members’ lives on the battlefield by controlling bleeding at or near the point of injury, Military Health System leadership recently recognized a Walter Reed National Military Medical Center general surgery resident with the Young Investigators Award.

Article
Aug. 13, 2026

Rising stars of military medicine earn coveted awards at 2026 Military Health System Research Symposium

Rising stars of military medicine earn coveted awards at 2026 Military Health System Research Symposium

At the 2026 Military Health System Research Symposium, ‘Young Investigators’ received awards for early career contributions to improve warfighter health and performance. Comprised of residents, fellows, doctoral candidates, post-docs, and individuals within five years of graduation, the military medical researchers earned top marks for presenting ...

Article
June 18, 2026

Madigan pediatric fellowship partners with child development centers to support military families and readiness

New program launch at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Madigan Army Medical Center's Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Fellowship Program has launched a new partnership with Child and Youth Services Child Development Centers across Joint Base Lewis-McChord to provide specialized training designed to help staff better manage challenging behaviors in young children, including those on the autism spectrum.

Refine your search