Human Effective Directorate Deputy Director receives federal service award from American Academy of Physician Assistants

  • Published
  • By Elizabeth Long
  • 711th Human Performance Wing
United States Air Force Colonel Douglas Hodge, Deputy Director of the Human Effectiveness Directorate, 711th Human Performance Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, received the American Academy of Physician Assistants' 2011 Federal Service PA of the Year Award at the organization's conference on June 1 in Las Vegas, NV.

The Federal Service PA of the Year Award recognizes a physician assistant who has demonstrated exemplary service in the federal service sector of the PA profession.

"It is quite an honor to receive this award," Colonel Hodge said. "The award tells me that my peers are validating me as a mentor and a leader."

Colonel Hodge entered the Air Force in 1993 and began his Air Force career as a physician assistant, first at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and then at Geilenkirchen Air Base, Germany.
He has extensive experience in supporting military and humanitarian operations as a medical readiness officer, a medical intelligence officer, and a medical operations officer.

Colonel Hodge was named Deputy Director of the Human Effectiveness Directorate in October 2010. He assists the director in managing the Air Force's primary and preferred source for research and knowledge on human-centered research.

As Deputy Director of the Human Effectiveness Directorate, Colonel Hodge is still able to use his physician assistant skills, particularly his mentoring skills.

"One of the things I try to do with the young personnel here is to get them to understand how they are connected to the outside world, the Air Force mission and the war," he explained. "I hope I can get them fired up about their work and its importance."

An internationally recognized expert in medical equipment test and evaluation, and a subject matter expert for Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Colonel Hodge routinely advises U.S. Department of Defense, civilian, and international leaders. He briefed White House, Congressional staff, NASA, Combatant Commands, the Joint Staff, and U.S. Air Force Major Commands on medical innovations.