Army Medical Corps officer honored for his contributions to medical training, education

By Marlon MartinDecember 13, 2019

Lt. Col. John J. Venezia
Lt. Col. John J. Venezia, Program Director, Aerospace Medicine, U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine, was presented the 2019 Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) Awards Program Training and Education Award during an awards c... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland - Lt. Col. John J. Venezia, Program Director, Aerospace Medicine, U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine, was presented the 2019 Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) Awards Program Training and Education Award during an awards ceremony held on December 5, 2019.

Praised for the major role he's played in healthcare education and training that has positively impacted his unit's success, Venezia was honored with great distinction as a recipient of this year's award.

Each year, federal healthcare professionals are recognized by AMSUS for significant accomplishments that have resulted in a meaningful impact on their mission or organization. Of the numerous award categories for team and individual awards, the AMSUS Training and Education Award is an individual functional mission award which recognizes the major role a team or individual has played in healthcare education and training.

Venezia is "well-deserving of this award," according to Col. Stephen J. Gaydos, Director, Graduate Medical Education.

"John is a true physician-leader whose skill, motivation, and expertise as a medical educator are unparalleled," Gaydos said. "His programmatic improvement initiatives and unique ability to mentor residents and faculty for success have manifested absolutely tremendous results this academic year."

Venezia's success over the past year and throughout his career is undoubtedly commendable, but his love for medicine spans nearly three decades, two Services, and numerous military assignments on Active Duty and in the Reserves. From starting out as an Airmen in the U.S. Air Force in 1993 to his current assignment as a Medical Corps officer in the U.S. Army, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the medical professional, said Gaydos.

Currently, Venezia serves as program director for the Aerospace Medicine Residency at the U.S. Army School of Aviation Medicine, Fort Rucker, Alabama. However, other notable assignments include serving as the associate program director, Occupational Medicine Residency, from 2012-2017; a Brigade Flight Surgeon while deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan, in 2013; and as a general medical officer for Pediatrics at William Beaumont Army Medical Center from 2007-2009.

He is board-certified in both Occupational Medicine and Aerospace Medicine, and his educational credentials include a Master of Public Health from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Louisiana Tech University; and a host of other degrees, residencies, and professional leadership courses.

"I am very honored to be recognized for this prestigious award in the company of my dedicated, professional colleagues," said Venezia, who is also serving as the Director of Medical Education. "I feel great pride to serve my country in uniform and consider myself twice blessed to be able to serve by training and educating the future of my specialty knowing the positive impact they will have on America's Warfighter."

AMSUS is a non-profit, member-based educational and professional development association. Regarded as The Society of Federal Health Professionals, it serves the Department of Defense, Veteran Affairs, Health and Human Services, Department of Homeland Security, industry and international partners, and those who advocate for advancing health through inter-agency collaboration.

The AMSUS Annual Meeting, hosted Dec. 2-6 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, is touted as the only conference where federal health leadership and professionals from the aforementioned agencies come together to share news of innovative medical advances, superior practices in patient care, and results of collaborative efforts.

"Transforming Healthcare through Partnership and Innovation," is this year's theme.