Skip main navigation

Military Health System

Clear Your Cache

Health.mil has undergone a recent update. For the best user experience we recommend clearing your browser cache.

NICoE Deputy Director Receives Department of Defense's Highest Civilian Honor

Image of U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ronald J. Place  and Dr. Louis French at award ceremony. U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ronald J. Place (ret.), then director of the Defense Health Agency, presents Dr. Louis French, deputy director of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, with the Department of Defense’s Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service on Dec. 2.

The work of one of the Department of Defense’s foremost experts on the treatment of traumatic brain injury was recently honored with the department's highest award given to career DOD civilian employees.

Dr. Louis French, the deputy director of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence , was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Award by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ron Place, then the director of the Defense Health Agency, during a ceremony on Dec. 2, 2022.

French oversees all clinical and research operations at the NICoE, which is the headquarters of the Defense Intrepid Network for TBI and Brain Health, also called the Defense Intrepid Network.

He has more than 20 years of experience in the TBI field and is considered to be one of the world’s top experts in military TBI.

Leadership from DHA, the National Capital Region, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and the NICoE, as well as colleagues, family, and friends attended the ceremony, which was held at the NICoE.

“Dr. French is a tremendous asset to the NICoE and the larger Defense Intrepid Network for TBI and Brain Health,” said U.S. Navy Capt. (Dr.) Carlos Williams, director of the NICoE. “His leadership, accomplishments, and advancements for the Military Health System and broader U.S. government in the area of TBI and psychological health have been instrumental in transforming the lives of countless service members and their families."

Dr. Louis French standing at podium
Dr. Louis French (standing at podium), deputy director of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, thanks his family, friends, and colleagues for their support after he was awarded the Department of Defense’s Medal for Distinguished Civilian Service by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ronald J. Place (ret.), then director of the Defense Health Agency, on Dec. 2.

The Distinguished Civilian Service Award is the highest recognition the DOD can give and is presented to a small number of civilian employees whose careers reflect exceptional devotion to duty and significant contributions of broad scope in policy, scientific, technical, or administrative fields that increase effectiveness and efficiency, according to DOD officials. The DOD had more than 770,000 civilian employees in 2022.

The citation accompanying the award states that, “In 2019, Dr. French was recognized as having the most publications in the world literature around military mild TBI for the decade. His leadership and contributions have directly increased the Military Health System’s capacity to care for and thus save lives for beneficiaries affected by TBI.” He has authored more than 100 publications.

Dr. French thanked those who attended the event and for their support and work in caring for service members and their families.

“It was a true honor being nominated and then awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Award,” he said. “I’m fortunate to work in a place where extraordinary care is provided every day. I want my colleagues to share in this success for the NICoE and continue to do everything they can to faithfully serve those whose care we are entrusted with.”

You also may be interested in...

Article
Aug 16, 2023

Battle of Guadalcanal: 81st Anniversary of Operation Watchtower

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Andrew Stofila, right, and Sgt. Brandford Asomaning Jr., both with Task Force Koa Moana 23, participate in the color guard during the 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal ceremony at the Guadalcanal American Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on Aug. 7, 2023. The Battle of Guadalcanal, also known as Operation Watchtower, was a seven-month campaign that marked the first allied land offensive in the Pacific theater in World War II. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Courtney G. White)

“We struck at Guadalcanal to halt the advance of the Japanese. We did not know how strong he was, nor did we know his plans. We knew only that he was moving down the island chain and that he had to be stopped,” said U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Alexander A. Vandergrift. Guadalcanal at 81.

Article
Aug 16, 2023

Walter Reed’s NICoE Scientists to Present New TBI Battlefield Biomarkers Research During 2023 MHSRS

Dr. Ping-Hong Yeh all smiles at Walter Reed in preparation for presenting new biomarkers TBI research at 2023 MHSRS. Photo Credit: DOD Ricardo Reyesguevarra

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center is pleased to announce that researchers from the National Intrepid Center of Excellence will present a groundbreaking study on diagnosing traumatic brain injuries during the 2023 Military Health System Research Symposium.

Article
Aug 14, 2023

Senior Warrant Officer Awarded Soldier's Medal for Saving Lives

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Nigel P. Huebscher, command chief warrant officer for the 1st Aviation Brigade, speaks after receiving the Soldier's Medal for risking his life to save others during a ceremony at Fort Novosel, Alabama, on Aug. 7, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Kelly Morris)

When mere seconds mattered, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Nigel P. Huebscher, command chief warrant officer for the 1st Aviation Brigade, was first on the scene of a house fire near Bonifay, Florida, on Oct. 9, 2022. He helped save the lives of two residents.

Article
Jul 24, 2023

Flight Medic First to Receive New Nebraska National Guard Heroism Medal

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, Nebraska adjutant general, present the Nebraska National Guard Heroism Medal to U.S. Army Sgt. Brandi Sullivan during the Nebraska Adjutant General Change of Command Ceremony, on July 8, 2023, at the Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.  (Photo: U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Jamie Titus)

“To any individual serving with or supporting the Nebraska Military Department who has distinguished himself/herself by heroism, in saving the life, limb, or eyesight of a fellow citizen.” Those were the words read describing the newly authorized Nebraska National Guard Heroism Medal presented during the Nebraska Adjutant General Change of Command ...

Video
Jul 13, 2023

Acute Concussion Care Pathway Overview

What is the Acute Concussion Care Pathway thumbnail of educational video for providers.

The Acute Concussion Care Pathway standardizes acute concussion care in the Military Health System. This video is designed to educate medical providers on the ACC Pathway, improving their understanding and application of evidence-based clinical tools. This video covers aspects of the ACC Pathway in detail, providing explanations and guidance on using ...

Report
Jul 7, 2023

2022 Defense Intrepid Network Annual Report

.PDF | 11.07 MB

The NICoE 2022 Annual Report showcases the collective achievements and impact of the Defense Intrepid Network for TBI and Brain Health. This was a phenomenal year of growth in traumatic brain injury (TBI) clinical care, research, and education. In the report, you will learn about the expanded clinical offerings, advanced understanding of TBI through ...

Article
Jul 5, 2023

Medical Service Corps: 106 Years of Diverse Health Service

Soldiers assigned to 129th Area Support Medical Company and Forward Support MEDEVAC Platoon, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, conduct patient movement operations for aeromedical evacuation during a training in Slobozia, Romania, on June 1. This year marks 106 years of support from medical service corps officers. (Photo: U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Laura Torres)

Whether in everyday patient care, clinical research, or by performing the administrative tasks needed to run U.S. Army hospitals, medical service corps officers have provided health care to veterans, soldiers, and their families for 106 years.

Article
Jun 12, 2023

Navy Medicine at D-Day: Stories of Valor and Sacrifice

Navy medical personnel help evacuate wounded soldiers at Normandy, June 1944. (Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery)

On the morning of June 6, 1944, Navy physician Lt. (j.g.) Frank Ramsey, Jr., and Pharmacist’s Mate Third Class Byron Dary landed on Omaha Beach with the 6th Naval Beach Battalion. Upon hitting the beach, the physician and hospital corpsman rushed to the aid of wounded U.S. Army personnel lying near a burning half-track. In minutes, the vehicle ...

Article
May 19, 2023

Navy Medicine at War: Stories of Service and Sacrifice at the Battle of Coral Sea

Throughout the Battle of the Coral Sea, U.S. Navy medical personnel serving shipboard played important roles keeping sailors in the fight while providing life-saving medical care under the severest of conditions. (Courtesy Photo)

The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought primarily by carrier-based planes across this marginal sea off the northeast coast of Australia from May 4 to 8, 1942. Throughout the battle, U.S. Navy medical personnel serving shipboard played important roles keeping sailors in the fight while providing life-saving medical care under the severest of conditions. ...

Skip subpage navigation
Refine your search
Last Updated: December 01, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on X Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery