An Irwin Army Community Hospital provider was selected as the Army's top occupational therapist among company-grade officers.
Capt. Katie Odom, officer-in-charge of the OT Clinic, and deputy chief of the Warrior and Family Recovery Center, is the 2015 Army Medical Service Corps (AMSC) Award of Excellence.
The award provides personal recognition to outstanding junior AMSC officers and warrant officers who have made significant contributions to the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) mission and have performed in an exceptional manner. Since the program's initiation in 1982, the AMSC chief has presented the award in various categories to recognize outstanding young officers and to encourage their future contributions to the corps.
`Odom, a native of Texas, was humbled after receiving notification of her award selection.
"There are many occupational therapists throughout the Army who are well deserving of this award," Odom said. "Being selected was exciting and definitely an honor. Several of my leaders and mentors were winners of this award which made it more exciting."
According to her leadership, Odom not only serves Fort Riley beneficiaries, but has extended her influence and leadership throughout the Army.
Odom currently serves as a member on the AMSC research committee at the recommendation of the Occupational Therapy Consultant to the Office of the Surgeon General.
"In this role she is collaborating to reassess the Army-wide AMSC lines of research and develop the AMSC Junior Researcher Mentorship program," said IACH's Chief of Orthopedic Surgery Maj. Jason Dutton. "She also published a manuscript 'Combating the Suicide Epidemic' in a peer reviewed journal in January 2016, enhancing the breadth of knowledge in her field and representing Army Medicine internationally."
On Fort Riley, Odom's influence also extends outside the walls of the hospital, Dutton explained.
"She was hand selected to serve as the IACH (Irwin Army Community Hospital) and the 1ID (1st Infantry Division) subject matter expert for the Performance Triad Pilot Study. She also collaborated with the OTSG (Office of the Surgeon General) P3 (Performance Triad) cell in this role and directly trained more than 150 military leaders on fitness and preventative measures, impacting more than 3,000 1ID Soldiers," said Dutton.
Dutton also described Odom as a superb leader who continually seeks learning opportunities to increase her knowledge level.
Despite all the attention Odom has received, she has remained humble, looks forward to opportunities to excel, and is proud to serve the military community.
"I look forward to new experiences during my next assignment as the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center Rehabilitation Chief," she said. "I also hope to get published to solidify what we do as OT professionals and gain support and funding for my profession. I love what I do and who I serve. The patient population in the military is the best patient population you can serve in the world."
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