Scientist receives prestigious USU Medal and 'Order of Military Medical Merit' awards from IRSF

The International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF), the world's largest and most comprehensive not-for-profit organization that funds novel research for treatments and a cure for Rett syndrome, has announced that Steven G. Kaminsky, Ph.D., received two incredibly prestigious awards at the 2013 Annual Family Conference in Midway, Utah this past June.

Dr. Steven Kaminsky leads the aggressive scientific research agenda at the International Rett Syndrome Foundation as the Chief Science Officer. Dr. Kaminsky, former Vice President for Research at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland, has a long distinguished career serving at a senior level for several universities and as a program officer at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The first award of the evening was The Order of Military Medical Merit, which was presented to Dr. Kaminsky by Brigadier General (Retired) Bill Bester. Dr. Kaminsky was recognized for his dedicated application of talent, effort and spirit which made a significant exemplary contribution to the United States Army Medical Department. This award grants the recipient membership to a unique, private organization founded by the Commanding General of U.S. Army Health Services Command in 1982 to recognize excellence and promote fellowship and esprit de corps among Army Medical Department personnel. Membership recognizes those individuals who have clearly demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed an outstanding degree of professional competence, served in the Army Medical Department (for a minimum of 10 years) with selflessness, and have made a sustained contribution to the betterment of Army Medicine. This award is rarely given to a civilian.

The second award given to Dr. Kaminsky was the Uniformed Services University Medal which was presented by Dr. Larry Laughlin, MD, PhD. Dr. Kaminsky was recognized for his 11 years of outstanding service as Uniformed Services University Vice President for Research. He has advanced the frontiers of the scientific research at USU through passionate mentoring and educating junior faculty and by building trusting relationships with the National Institutes of Health and all research elements of the Military Services.

Source: International Rett Syndrome Foundation