American Academy of Disaster Medicine Presents Distinguished Service Award

Jul 09, 2019

Lieutenant General (Dr.) Paul Kendall Carlton, Jr., the 17th Surgeon General of the United States Air Force, was recently honored by the American Academy of Disaster Medicine® (AADM®) with its Distinguished Service Award. The award was presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. ® (AAPS) held in Orlando, Florida.

General Carlton was recognized for his extensive record of expertise and innovation. According to AADM President, Arthur Cooper, MD, MS, FACS, FAADM, Dr. Carlton was an advocate for robust readiness and response long before disaster medicine emerged as an identifiable disciple. “As an Airforce medical officer and later as Surgeon General of the Air Force, Dr. Carlton was well known for innovation, forward-thinking, and championing preparedness,” said Dr. Cooper.

He conceptualized and implemented the first Air Force rapid-response surgical team in Europe—the flying ambulance surgical trauma team. During Operation Desert Storm, he commanded the 1702nd Air Refueling Wing Contingency Hospital, completing 32 combat support missions and 140 combat flying hours in the C-21, C-130, KC-10, and KC-135. He is the architect for the current medical war plan which has yielded the best survival in the history of war, resulting in over 10,000 extra alive from wounding in this conflict compared to Vietnam.

September 11, 2001 found General Carlton in the impact zone in the Pentagon, where he assisted in the immediate response to the terrorist attack. Dr. Carlton advocated for robust response capabilities to alleviate pain and suffering from the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath. He retired from the Air Force December 1, 2002.

Upon retirement, General Carlton was named Director of the Homeland Security Initiative for the Texas A&M Health Science Center to address homeland security issues related to human health. In this capacity, Dr. Carlton was a prolific spokesperson for enhanced preparedness and response capabilities across the spectrum of healthcare, sharing his expertise in U.S. Senate testimony, on behalf of The Joint Commission, and internationally. After the Joplin, MO, tornado of May 2011, he outlined a master plan for the reconstitution of medical care in Joplin, which was accepted by the Mercy leadership, and enabled them to return to business continuity in 88 days, the previous best being 14 months.

Dr. Carlton is a Fellow and former Air Force governor of the American College of Surgeons. He has published extensively in medical literature.

“He continues to be a prominent and forceful voice for the ability to respond to a disaster of any magnitude, said Dr. Cooper. “Dr. Carlton is clearly a visionary leader in this area.”

The American Academy of Disaster Medicine promotes the practice of disaster health care, ensuring that all physicians and allied health professionals are aware and prepared to effectively respond to future disaster – either natural or man-made. AADM is an affiliate Academy of the AAPS, the governing body of the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). ABPS is a nationally recognized multi-specialty physician certifying organization in the United States, headquartered in Tampa, FL.

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
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