AMSUS, the Society of Federal Health Professionals, along with the Military Health System announced a slate of awards to recognize outstanding achievement among the top health care providers and facilities that serve the military community.

The awards spotlight excellence across a range of fields including operational medicine, research, innovation, training, and management.

"The past two years have placed significant demands and challenges on the Military Health System – from the COVID-19 pandemic support to MHS reform to ensuring the safe and healthy resettlement of our Afghan friends here in the United States. Throughout, our military medical professionals have shined," said Dr. David J. Smith, who is performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.

"The awardees reflect the best of our Military Health System and their accomplishments improve our ability to effectively deliver high-quality health care to our warfighters, retirees and their families. These awardees epitomize the superb talent that we have in the MHS and give me great faith and confidence that we are well equipped to thrive in the years ahead," Smith said.

This year's honorees included:

AMSUS Premier Awards

Rising Star Award: Army Maj. (Dr.) Jason Bingham

Army Maj. (Dr.) Jason Bingham is a general and bariatric surgeon at Madigan Army Medical Center. He also serves as the director of surgical research and associate program director for the General Surgery Residency. Additionally, he is an assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences and was previously the chair of the military committee for the Association for Academic Surgery.

Innovator Award: Dr. Ryan Vega

Dr. Ryan Vega is the Diffusion of Excellence lead with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Innovation. Previously, he was at the Richmond VA Medical Center, where he served as chief of quality as well as the liaison for Institutional-House Staff Quality and Safety Initiatives.

Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Norman N. Rich

Dr. Norman M. Rich is a former professor and chair emeritus of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences' Department of Surgery. A retired Army colonel and vascular surgeon, Rich was the founder of the USU Department of Surgery. He served as a professor from 1976 to 1999 and then went on to become chairman of the USU. He retired in 2018 after more than 50 years of service to the military and federal government.

AMSUS 2021/2022 Award Winners

2021 Military Health System Leadership Awards

Allied Health Leadership Excellence Awards

Acknowledges and honors military Allied Health professionals in the field at the tactical and operational level. They have demonstrated exemplary leadership along with outstanding clinical or non-clinical skills.

Federal Nursing Excellence in Leadership Awards Category

Acknowledges and honors military and civilian registered nurses in the field at the tactical/operational level who have demonstrated exemplary leadership and skill resulting in noteworthy clinical or administrative accomplishments.

Female Physician Leadership Award

Recognizes contributions to military medicine and work mentoring others, inspiring young women working in the fields of medicine and science.

Advancement Towards High Reliability in Healthcare Awards

Several facilities won DOD Advancement Towards High Reliability in Healthcare Awards for showing initiative and commitment to the development of systems and processes that will lead the MHS toward a better, safer, nationally recognized health care system. The awards and facilities recognized include:

Continuous Process Improvement

Culture of Safety

Patient Centeredness

Leadership Commitment