Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine • Vol. 83, No. 12 • December 2012
1197
2012 Year in Review
by Jeffrey Sventek, Executive Director,
and P. Glenn Merchant, M.D.,
President
of AsMA
As we prepare to close out 2012, let me
first offer my thanks to the AsMA Staff,
Council, volunteers and members for a great
year. We have carefully navigated our
Association through some difficult issues and
stand stronger now than at the beginning of
2012. I also would like to wish all of you a
wonderful holiday season and a great New
Year to begin 2013.
The 2012 year began with preparations for
the 83rd Annual Scientific Meeting scheduled
for Atlanta. The Scientific Program
Committee, under the leadership of Dr. Arleen
Saenger, did a wonderful job in building a
solid scientific program for the meeting.
Advance registration started slowly (as usual)
in January, but picked up speed as we ap-
proached the end of April. The Atlanta meet-
ing was a great success with 1,474 registered
attendees and a highly rated scientific pro-
gram based upon the post-meeting evalua-
tions. These events are not easy to organize
and execute. Many thanks go to AIM Meet-
ings & Events for leading the planning efforts
for the meeting. Walt, Phillip, and Katherine
Galanty did a fantastic job in planning and ex-
ecuting the meeting in Atlanta. I would be re-
miss if I did not thank the Hilton Atlanta
Hotel management and staff. They met our
every need for the Atlanta meeting. I also
wish to thank the AsMA Staff and the many
AsMA volunteers who worked diligently to
make the meeting a success for our attendees.
A surprise arrived at AsMA HQ three
weeks before the Atlanta scientific meeting.
We received notification from the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) that our application for
recognition as a Scientific & Educational
Public Charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code was approved. AsMA
had been conducting business for many years
as a non-profit 501(c)(6) trade association. The
IRS approval as a public charity now provides
several advantages to members. Payment of
membership dues is now considered a dona-
tion. Most of the dues payment can be de-
ducted from personal income tax as a charita-
ble donation. The portion associated with the
journal subscription is not tax deductible as it
represents a product or service provided to
members. Therefore, the first $50 of any dues
payment is not tax deductible. Another ad-
vantage of our 501(c)(3) status is that mem-
bers’ non-reimbursed expenses associated
with volunteer work for AsMA can also be de-
ducted from your taxes. Finally, AsMA is
now authorized to accept charitable donations.
If any of you wish to donate to support the
AsMA scientific and education mission, you
can contact the AsMA HQ Office to learn how
to make a charitable donation.
In July, I submitted the very large and de-
tailed documentation to the Accreditation
Council for Continuing Medical Education
(ACCME) in support of our application for
reaccreditation as a CME provider.
Fortunately, the documentation was complete
and was accepted by the ACCME. Dr. Eilis
Boudreau, Chair of the AsMA Education &
Training Committee, and I participated in a
conference call interview with the ACCME
surveyors on November 1. Our application
for reaccreditation will be submitted for ap-
proval as part of the March 2013 cohort to the
ACCME Accreditation Review Committee
with final decision on our reaccreditation from
the ACCME Decision Committee of the Board
of Directors. I hope to report at the Chicago
Annual Scientific Committee that our reac-
creditation application was approved.
August and September found us working
hard to put the finishing touches on the new
AsMA website. Many thanks to Rachel Trigg,
AsMA Webmaster, for the long hours associ-
ated with building the web pages and ensur-
ing links were working properly. We
launched the new AsMA website the day after
Labor Day and expected e-mails and phone
calls from users to tell us of functional prob-
lems. Much to our surprise, we received sev-
eral laudatory e-mails and phone calls but
very few communications of the critical na-
ture. The beauty of the new website is the
Content Management Software (CMS) we pur-
chased as part of the upgrade. The CMS al-
lows the AsMA Staff to make changes and up-
dates to the website in real time. We continue
to update and improve the website to ensure
the look, feel and functionality of the website
meets or exceeds user expectations. If you
have suggestions for improving the website,
please contact us at the AsMA HQ Office.
As with any large family, each year brings
sorrow. We lost some family members this
year and we grieved. We know our
Association was made better by their presence
and their passing caused a small tear in the
AsMA fabric. We will mend over time, but
we will always miss them.
As we close out 2012, I ask each of you to
reflect on this past year. Celebrate the accom-
plishments, but continue to identify those
areas that still require attention and improve-
ment. I ask each of you to consider volunteer-
ing for a committee or a leadership position.
We need your ideas and energy to continually
improve our offerings to our members and the
public at large. We must continually strive to
enhance health, promote safety, and improve
performance of all individuals who work or
travel in unusual environments.
The AsMA HQ Staff wish you and your
families a wonderful end to 2012 and happy,
healthy, and prosperous 2013!
NSBRI Summer Internship
Program
The National Space Biomedical Research
Institute (NSBRI) is accepting applications for
its 2013 Summer Internship Program. This
unique program places college students in
NASA laboratories working with scientists on
research projects focused on protecting astro-
naut health during spaceflight. The NSBRI-
sponsored program gives selected students an
opportunity to spend nine weeks in laborato-
ries at NASA's Johnson Space Center in
Houston, Glenn Research Center in Cleveland,
or Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, CA.
In addition to the laboratory work, interns par-
ticipate in a week-long Summer Bioastro-nau-
tics Institute at NSBRI Headquarters in
Houston. The Summer Bioastronautics
Institute offers workshops focusing specifically
on the enhancement of research, presentation,
and mentoring skills. More than 170 students
have participated in this highly competitive
program since its inception in 1998. The dead-
line for the NSBRI Summer Internship pro-
gram, which is managed by Baylor College of
Medicine's Center for Educational Outreach, is
Dec. 31, 2012. General information, program
requirements and the application are available
at http://www.nsbri.org/summerinternship/.
Association News
Assistant Professor
Aerospace Medicine Residency Program
Department of Community Health
Wright State University
Boonshoft School of Medicine
Dayton, Ohio
Wright State University, Boonshoft School
of Medicine, is recruiting for a Full-Time
faculty position within the Division of
Aerospace Medicine, Department of
Community Health. Candidates must be a
U.S. Citizen, have an M.D. or D.O. degree,
have completed an ACGME approved
Aerospace Medicine residency training pro-
gram, be Board Certified in Aerospace
Medicine by the American Board of
Preventive Medicine with a time-limited cer-
tificate, and be able to obtain an unre-
stricted State of Ohio medical license.
Current and active medical license in any
state will suffice in the interim. Board
Certification in an additional Preventive
Medicine or Primary Care specialty is
strongly preferred. The ideal applicant will
have experience as a military or U.S.
Government flight surgeon and hold an FAA
pilot certificate. The successful physician
must be an outstanding clinician and have a
strong interest and/or experience in
Aerospace Medicine resident education.
Compensation and benefits are highly com-
petitive for medical school affiliated posi-
tions. Interested candidates should send a
letter of interest and curriculum vitae to:
https://jobs.wright.edu/.
Review of applications began August 15,
2012. If the position is not filled with initial
responses, applications will continue to be
considered until the position is filled. For
additional information about the Wright
State University Boonshoft School of
Medicine and its programs, please consult
the Boonshoft School of Medicine website
at: http://www.med.wright.edu/. Wright
State University is an Affirmative
Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
CLASSIFIED AD
POSITION AVAILABLE
1198
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine • Vol. 83, No. 12 • December 2012
Col. White Inducted into AF Safety
Hall of Fame
Col. Donald J. White, FRAeS, B.S., USAF,
was inducted into the Air Force Safety Hall of
Fame during his retirement ceremony a few
months ago. Since 1977, the award has been
bestowed on those individuals who have
made singularly unique contributions to safety
and U.S. Air Force mishap prevention. This
award is not for any one contribution, but
rather a recognition for career contributions
made over an extended period of time result-
ing in enduring and significant improvements
in safety, both now and in the future. The per-
formance and contributions of the recipient are
recognized by his or her peers as being of un-
equaled excellence. As a consequence of these
standards, this award is infrequently con-
ferred. Since 1977, only 72 have been honored
with this prestigious award. Col. White’s
name will be inscribed onto a permanent reg-
ister on display at the Air Force Safety Center.
News of Members
Ian C. Perry has, after some 40 yrs in the
same place, now moved his practice to The
Old Rectory, St John's Hill, Shaftesbury,
Dorset, UK. He continues to practice in the
field of Clinical Aviation Medicine as a
Consultant.
New Members
Hagerman, Rodney S., CDR, USN,
Pensacola, FL
Kennedy, Dan F., Maj. USAF, MC, Fair
Haven, NJ
Stancut, Eugen, Capt., USAF, Pensacola, FL
Streitz, Matthew J., Capt, USAF, MC,
Randolph AFB, TX
Watkins, Bettina C., Capt., USAF, MC,
Columbus AFB, MS
In Memoriam
Karen A. Fox, M.D., M.P.H.
AsMA was saddened to learn that Karen
A. Fox, M.D., M.P.H., Col., USAF (Ret.), died
on October 9 of pancreatic cancer after a 4-yr
battle. Dr. Fox was born in San Antonio in
1956 and graduated in 1980 as one of the first
class of women from the Air Force Academy,
where she majored in Life Sciences. In 1984,
she graduated from the Baylor College of
Medicine with an M.D. and interned at Baylor
College of Medicine Affiliated Hospital until
1985. She later served a residency at the USAF
School of Aerospace Medicine, graduating in
1995. She was a Flight Surgeon in the Air
Force and flew F-15 and F-16 aircraft. She
served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and earned
a Bronze Star for her part in forming the first
medical facility of that conflict at Baghdad
International Airport. During her military ca-
reer, she made the rank of colonel, served as a
consultant at Brooks City-Base, and served as
Commander at Randolph AFB.
After retiring from the military, Dr. Fox took
a position as Medical Director for Eagle
Applied Sciences (an AsMA Corporate
Member) in San Antonio. She was Board
Certified in Occupational and Aerospace
Medicine and a Diplomate of the American
Board of Preventive Medicine. She was a for-
mer President of the Lily Langtry Society.
Within AsMA, she served on the Aviation &
Safety Committee and on the Education &
Training Committee and became a Fellow in
2009.
Future AsMA Meetings
May 12-16, 2013
Chicago Sheraton
Chicago, IL
May 11-15, 2014
San Diego Hilton
San Diego
May 10-14, 2015
Walt Disney World Swan and
Dolphin Hotel
Lake Buena Vista, FL
April 24- 28, 2016
Rio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, NV
USAF SAFETY HALL OF FAME--Maj. Gen.
Feest (left) presents Col. White (right) with a
plaque inducting him into the USAF Safety
Hall of Fame during his retirement
ceremony.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine • Vol. 83, No. 12 • December 2012
1199
European School of
Aviation Medicine
Training Courses 2013
for JAA/FAA Aero Medical Examiners
Aviation Medicine/Travel Medicine
Diploma Course 22
9 – 17 March 2013
AME Class 2
31 August –
Basic Course 23
8 September 2013
AME Class 1
Advanced Course 23
7 – 15 December 2013
Venue: Lufthansa Aeromedical Center,
Frankfurt Airport.
Application forms and further details under
www.flugmed.org
or
www.eusam.org.
In Memoriam
Burt Rowen, MC, USAF (Ret.)
AsMA was also saddened to hear that Burt Rowen, MC, USAF (Ret.),
died in October. A native of New York City, Dr. Rowen graduated from
Lafayette College in Easton, PA, in 1942 with a B.A. and earned an M.D.
from the New York University College of Medicine in 1945. He com-
pleted the Primary Course in Aerospace Medicine at Randolph AFB, TX,
in 1946 and then attended the Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA. He
was a para-rescue surgeon with the 5th Rescue Squadron before entering
flying training. He graduated as a pilot in 1948 and flying with the 56th
Fighter Group for a year. From 1949-1951, he became a faculty member
of the School of Aviation Medicine at Randolph AFB. From 1952-1955, he
was an Assistant Air Attache (Medical) in Stockholm, Sweden. He then
completed the National Naval Medical Center Preventive Medicine
Course at Bethesda, MD, in 1955. From 1956-1962, he was Chief of the
Bioastronautics Branch and Bioastronautics Coordinator for the X-15 at
Edwards AFB, CA. He was then appointed the Assistant for
Bioastronautics to the X-20 (Dyna-Soar) System Program Director in
1962.
A long-time member, Fellow, and Emeritus member of AsMA, Dr.
Rowen was a Diplomate of the American Board of Preventive Medicine
certified in Aerospace Medicine. He was also a member of the
International Academy of Aviation Medicine, the California Academy of
Preventive Medicine, the Society of USAF Flight Surgeons, the
Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S., and the Flying Physicians
Association, and a Fellow of the American College of Preventive
Medicine. He had around 15 publications to his name, chiefly relating to
support of manned rocket research flight.
Check out the new, improved
AsMA website!!!
http://www.asma.org
Explore the links to our Constituent and
Affiliate Organizations, the WING, and our
Corporate Members!!!
Nominations Sought for 2012 AsMA Awards
The Awards Committee of the Aerospace Medical Association,
which is responsible for selecting the annual winners of special awards,
has set a
January 15 deadline for receiving nominations for awards to
be presented at the 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta, GA.
The names of prospective award winners should be submitted as far in
advance of the deadline as possible. To view a list of past recipients go
to the AsMA website: http://www.asma.org/pdf/awrdwin.pdf
Nominations can be made by any member of AsMA.
Rules:
1. The nominee must be a current member of the Association by Feb.
1 in the year in which the award may be given, with the sole exception
that the Sidney D. Leverett, Jr., Environmental Science Award is open to
nonmembers.
2. Employees of a company sponsoring an award are eligible to re-
ceive the award. Self-nomination is not allowed. Deceased members
may be nominated.
3. Nominations for the Tuttle and Environmental Science Awards
must cite a specific paper printed in
Aviation, Space, and Environmental
Medicine. The award will be given to the first author, with co-authors
that are AsMA members receiving co-author recognition.
4. An individual can only receive one award in any one year. The
same individual may receive an award more than once, so long as five
years have elapsed between the last time that award was won by that
same awardee. The exception is the Bauer Award, as this award is only
given once to an individual.
5. Nominations are good for three years from the original award
nomination. They may be updated. If substantial material has changed
for the same award within that three-year cycle—a new nomination
should be submitted.
6. The form is available on the AsMA website. You may either submit
the nomination directly from the website or you may download the
nomination form into your computer for e-mailing as a pdf document
attachment. Nomination forms sent via e-mail should be addressed to
the Awards Committee Chair, Kris Belland, D.O., at awards@asma.org;
and Ms. Gisselle Vargas at AsMA Headquarters (gvargas@asma.org). If
e-mail is not available, you can send a hard copy of the form via nor-
mal mail to: Aerospace Medical Association, 320 South Henry St.,
Alexandria, VA 22314; or fax to the AsMA Home Office: (703)739-
9652. Any auxiliary biographical material in electronic or hard copy
attachments must be limited to 3 typed pages and will be retained in
Association files.
7. Nominations received after
Jan. 15th will be considered for
awards to be presented at the next annual meeting.
ANNUAL AWARDS (descriptions online)
1. Louis H. Bauer Founders Award
2. Mary T. Klinker Award
3. Harry G. Moseley Award
4. Eric Liljencrantz Award
5. Theodore C. Lyster Award
6. Boothby - Edwards Award
7. Julian E. Ward Memorial Award
8. Raymond F. Longacre Award
9. Arnold D. Tuttle Award
10. John A. Tamisiea Award
11. Sidney D. Leverett, Jr. Environmental Science Award
12. John Paul Stapp Award
13. Kent K. Gillingham Award
14. Won Chuel Kay Award
15. Marie Marvingt Award
16. Joe Kerwin Award
17. John Ernsting Award
18. Walter and Sylvia Goldenrath Award
