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ADF Health 2011 - Volume 12 Number 1

Honours and Awards

ADF Health notes with acclamation the following awards in the Australia Day Honours and the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2010/2011:

OFFICER (AO) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Major General Paul Vincent ALEXANDER AO

For distinguished service to Defence in the field of health and, in particular, as the inaugural Commander Joint Health Command.

Major General Alexander has displayed exceptional dedication, vision and distinguished professionalism in reforming health care delivery to members of the Australian Defence Force. Over successive strategic level appointments, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to implement innovative solutions to health care delivery. His efforts have laid the foundation for enduring change to health care delivery and the professional development of health professionals within the Australian Defence Force.

MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Major General Jeffrey Victor ROSENFELD AM

For service to medicine through clinical leadership and academic roles, particularly in the field of neurosurgery as a researcher and author, and to professional associations

MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Rear Admiral Graeme Spencer SHIRTLEY AM RFD RANR

For exceptional performance of duties as a medical officer in the Royal Australian Navy Reserve.

Rear Admiral Shirtley has provided exceptional service to the Health Services across Defence for over 40 years, culminating in his service as the Surgeon General Australian Defence Force. He has championed the work of the Naval Health Reserve and has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian Defence Force as a specialist radiologist and in the field of human research ethics.

MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE MILITARY DIVISION

Lieutenant Benjamin William STOCK OAM RAN

For meritorious service in the fields of Submarine Medicine and Submarine Escape and Rescue.

Lieutenant Stock is an outstanding officer who has demonstrated years of commitment to the health and welfare of the members of the Submarine community in the areas of disaster management and submarine escape and rescue, as a leading figure in the progression of clinical training in the medical field, and as an advocate for veterans. His knowledge and experience in submarine medicine are unique and unrivalled in the Australian Defence Force, and his ability to think laterally has resulted in several innovations that should enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s submarine medical capability.

Petty Officer Matthew Charles WOOD OAM RAN

For meritorious service in health care as an Underwater Medicine Sailor in the Royal Australian Navy.

Petty Officer Wood consistently performs tirelessly in the development of medical capability and health care in the Royal Australian Navy. His devotion to maintaining a capability that is flexible and responsive to high priority capability and tasking, and his commitment to self-sufficient and high readiness health care are unparalleled and have set a new benchmark in operational support. His exceptional professionalism and perseverance throughout his career embrace Navy’s core values and signature behaviours of the New Generation Navy.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)

Colonel Craig Andrew SCHRAMM CSC

For outstanding achievement as the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Health Support Battalion and Senior Health Officer, South Queensland.

An exceptional officer displaying inspirational professional excellence as the Commanding Officer 2nd Health Support Battalion and Senior Health Officer, South Queensland, Colonel (then Lieutenant Colonel) Schramm was responsible for the provision of high readiness Level 3 combat health support for the Australian Army, and he ensured a very high standard of Garrison Health Support across southern Queensland. In doing so, he demonstrated outstanding achievement in the management of a complex and extensive workload.

Colonel Graham Alan DURANT-LAW CSC

For outstanding achievement in project management, strategic reform agenda implementation and the development and acquisition of an e-health system for Defence.

Colonel Durant-Law is an exceptional officer who has throughout his career displayed extraordinary dedication to duty, the highest level of professionalism and outstanding leadership within Joint Health Command. Colonel Durant-Law has been influential in developing and implementing the Joint Health Command strategic reform program. He has shown exactitude, professionalism and dedication, particularly in leading the complex e-health agenda for Defence.

Lieutenant Colonel Stephen SHADDOCK CSC

For outstanding achievement as the Staff Officer Grade One Health Materiel Logistics and Pharmacy within Joint Health Command

Flight Lieutenant Joleen Kim DARBY CSC

For outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills as the medical officer in HMAS Childers on Thursday, 16 April 2009. Flight Lieutenant Darby’s actions were fundamental to the successful treatment of 44 injured personnel, including the survival of 27 critical and very seriously injured, following an explosion on a suspected irregular entry vessel near Ashmore Reef. Her compassion, professionalism, outstanding leadership and exceptional skills in coordinating triage, administering medical treatment, advising others how to address medical concerns, and monitoring the casualties for 12 hours in the most basic conditions ensured their pain and suffering were minimised. The injured personnel were delivered to expert medical care in the best possible condition, and they survived their trauma.

Captain Andrew Peter CHALLEN CSC

For outstanding achievement as the Regimental Medical Officer of 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.

Captain Challen’s vision, dedication and tireless pursuit of excellence have made an outstanding contribution to the management of battlefield trauma, training of medics, and psychological preparation of soldiers for operations, and have directly saved the lives of Australian soldiers from combat wounds. His outstanding achievements as a Regimental Medical Officer are in the finest traditions of the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force.

CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM)

Flight Sergeant Jenny Leigh DILLON, CSM

For meritorious achievement as the Medical Support and Policy Subject Matter Expert within the Directorate of Personnel – Air Force.

Flight Sergeant Dillon’s diligence, initiative and professional excellence have seen her positively influence health policy to ensure better health outcomes for service personnel and, consequently, enhance the Royal Australian Air Force’s personnel capability. Her superior analytical skills, outstanding practical expertise and tireless devotion to duty have ensured equitable and expedient treatment of Air Force Reserve members in the often highly emotive and sensitive area of service members’ health.

Chief of the Defence Force Gold Commendation

Corporal Sharon Louise JAGER

I commend you for your exceptional dedication and outstanding competency in treating casualties on board HMAS CHILDERS, HMAS ALBANY and platform FRONT PUFFIN following an explosion on Suspected Irregular Entry Vessel 36 near Ashmore Reef on 16 April 2009.You were on the suspected irregular entry vessel when it exploded but despite your injuries you worked tirelessly, in extremely difficult conditions, to administer life saving treatment to dozens of casualties, including many critical or very seriously ill patients. Your dedication and tireless efforts, and your succinct and accurate medical information and direction, inspired and enabled others to provide the highest quality of care possible to the injured. Your professionalism and personal courage, combined with your calm demeanour, pragmatism, initiative and inspirtional leadership were fundamental to the survival of the casualties in your care. Your achievements are of the highest order and in keeping with the finest traditions of the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Defence Force.

SENIOR PROMOTIONS

ADF Health congratulates the following senior health officers on their promotions:

Commodore Robyn Margaret Walker AM RAN: on promotion to Rear Admiral as Joint Health Commander with efffect December 2011

Air Commodore Frederick Hugh Bartholomeusz OAM RFD: on promotion to Air Vice-Marshall as Surgeon General Defence Health Reserves with efffect December 2011