Dr. Basil Pruitt, Jr., left, receives the AMSUS Lifetime Achievement Award from Dr. Michael Cowan, executive director of AMSUS –The Society of Federal Health Professionals, for his more than five decades as one of the leading specialists in the treatment of burns. Pruitt was the director of the U. S. Army Institute of Surgical Research for the last 27 of his 35 years as a military surgeon. As he accepted the award, Pruitt told to audience “If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had a lot of help getting there. As the officially designated turtle this morning, I share this award with many others.” In bestowing the honor, Dr. Cowan read a statement from Dr. Jonathan Woodson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, honoring Dr. Pruitt's contributions to military health. "He has been a leader in his field for over 50 years; he lives at the cutting edge of his surgical specialty and is an internationally renowned burn surgeon; and, he has dedicated his life to public service, and the care to those who have borne the harshest scars of battle. He conducted and led research that dramatically improved the treatment of burns – not just for service members, but for every man, woman and child on the planet." (Courtesy photo)
You are leaving Health.mil
The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense of non-U.S. Government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the Defense Health Agency may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for Department of Defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.
You are leaving Health.mil
View the external links disclaimer.
Last Updated: July 11, 2023