Boonshoft School of Medicine psychiatry professor receives highest award in aerospace medicine

Col. Kent McDonald is assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Boonshoft School of Medicine.

The Aerospace Medical Association named Col. Kent McDonald, M.D., the recipient of the Raymond F. Longacre Award, the highest award in aerospace medicine, for advancing the understanding of aviator personality, unique environmental stressors and their impact on optimal performance.

An assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, McDonald also is the chief of the Neuropsychiatry Branch, Aeromedical Consultation Service, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

McDonald’s work fostered a collaborative, highly effective and operational research-oriented environment that resulted in comprehensive changes benefitting the Air Force, aircrew, flight surgeons and mental health personnel, said Daniel Van Syoc, M.D., deputy chief, Aeromedical Consultation Service, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Van Syoc said McDonald’s team established innovative research and translated that knowledge into new personnel and operations policy. His team’s work resulted in multiple publications, presentations at international conferences and cutting-edge instruction in courses in aerospace medicine, psychiatry and psychology.

The award honors the memory of Maj. Raymond F. Longacre. The international award is given annually for outstanding accomplishment in the psychological and psychiatric aspects of aerospace medicine. The Aerospace Medical Association will present the award to McDonald on May 15 in San Diego at its 85th annual Scientific Meeting.