American Academy of Disaster Medicine Presents First Distinguished Service Award

Jul 05, 2011

Tampa, FL — Rear Admiral Alton L. Stocks, MD, U.S. Navy Medical Corps, has been honored as the first recipient of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine’s (AADM) Distinguished Service Award. The award was recently presented at the Annual House of Delegates and Scientific Meeting of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. in McLean, Virginia. Stocks is Commander, Navy Medicine East and Commander of the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia.

“Rear Admiral Stocks played an immensely important role in coordinating U.S. Military and other medical forces in Haiti after the earthquake of January 2010,” said James W. Terbush, MD, MPH, the incoming President of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine. “His work positively affected the public health care of Haiti.”

Stocks led the implementation of a medical support system that included 1100 hospital beds, 18 operating rooms and complete medical ancillary support. He further facilitated the redevelopment of the Haiti medical infrastructure, which was significantly damaged, and coordinated this effort with USAID and the Government of Haiti. Stocks also managed and coordinated the Department of Defense medical evacuation system which completed 15,000 patient transfers.

“It is a privilege for AADM to present the Distinguished Service Award recognizing the vital role this new physician specialty plays in the disaster life cycle – preparation, planning, response and recovery,” Terbush said.

The American Academy of Disaster Medicine promotes the practice of disaster health care, ensuring that all physicians are aware and prepared to effectively respond to future disaster either natural or man-made. AADM is an affiliate academy of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. (AAPS), the governing body of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) that certifies both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians in seventeen specialties including disaster medicine.

Save the Date

House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting

Innovation & Overcoming Challenges

June 10-15, 2022

Plan Your Visit. Meeting Information

Patient Care Is Our Priority

Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD

Disaster Medicine

When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD

Integrative Medicine

There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD

Internal Medicine

When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD

Emergency Medicine

When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD

Administrative Medicine

The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO

Internal Medicine

Meet Our Staff Read All Reviews