Wilford Hall surgeon wins AFA award

  • Published
  • By Linda Frost
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) --  Lt. Col. (Dr.) Kirk A. Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist at Wilford Hall Medical Center here, has won the 2008 Paul W. Myers Award for his work at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and in the 59th Maternal/Child Care Squadron at Wilford Hall.

The Paul W. Myers Medical Award was established in 1982 by Air Force Association officials in honor of former Air Force Surgeon General Paul W. Myers. The award is presented to the Air Force Medical Corps officer who has made the most significant contribution to the continued good health of the men and women of the Air Force. Nominations are solicited by the Office of the Surgeon General and the top three are submitted to the Air Force Association. 

While deployed to Balad AB, Doctor Milhoan expertly performed as a flight surgeon, pediatrician and pediatric cardiologist, conducting rounds daily in the intensive care unit at the Air Force Theater Hospital from January to May 2007. 

On his second deployment as a flight surgeon, he flew 40 combat hours. He also contributed to the staging and evacuation of more than 2,400 wounded warriors and the loading of more than 200 missions in the only Iraq Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility. Doctor Milhoan transported two critically-ill Iraqis by Black Hawk helicopter to Baghdad in blackout conditions. 

At Wilford Hall, Doctor Milhoan is the chief of Non-Invasive Pediatric Cardiac Imaging. He is the cornerstone for clinic productivity, performing more than 800 outpatient consults and echocardiograms in 2007. He conducts outreach clinics at four regional hospitals, evaluating and treating more than 500 children. 

Doctor Milhoan also serves as the director of the wing's Pediatric Advanced Life Support Program and trained 98 medics in 2007. He has led humanitarian missions to Zambia, Kosovo, Mongolia and Mexico as part of his "For Hearts and Souls" program. 

"I have never thought of myself as a 'premier' person in the Air Force," said Colonel Milhoan. "I do what I love, which is taking care of kids around the world. To be recognized like this for doing something you love is amazing." 

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