Atsugi Eye Doctor Selected for Top Navy Award

By Ben Avey, U.S. Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka, Japan, announced that Branch Health Clinic (BHC) Atsugi's Lt. Kyle Dohm has been selected to receive the U.S. Navy 2010 Stanley H. Freed Junior Optometrist of the Year Award April 26.

Dohm was officially notified of the award in a letter from the U.S. Navy's Medical Service Corps Director, Rear Adm. Eleanor Valentin.

"This award recognizes the professional who exhibits the highest Navy core values, professionalism, initiative, leadership, and dedication to the practice of optometry," said Valentin in the letter. "I look forward to serving with you as we lead Navy Medicine into the future."

Dohm's achievements and efforts are unmatched according to BHC Atsugi Officer in Charge, Capt. Mike Warrington. "Lt. Dohm is an exceptional doctor and naval officer," said Warrington. "This award could not have gone to a more deserving person."

According to his award nomination, Dohm has been an exceptional optometrist and naval officer since receiving his commission in 2006. As the only Aerospace Optometrist on mainland Japan, he maintains a large practice in Atsugi and routinely travels to branch health clinics to provide care. A subject matter expert in his area, Dohm has authored multiple professional articles and routinely lectures on aeromedicine with a focus on ophthalmology and optometry matters.

An advocate of efficiency and service, he has restructured multiple clinic processes and utilized new technology to increase patients' access to optometry care, increase specialty services and maintained a 98% patient satisfaction rating.

Humbled by his selection, Dohm deferred credit to the medical and optometry team who join him in caring for families and keeping service members operationally ready.

"Atsugi Clinic has a great team and I'm proud that we are being recognized with this award," said Dohm. "It's truly an honor."

Dohm earned his undergraduate degree from Fort Hays State University in Western Kansas prior to earning his Doctor of Optometry from University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Optometry. He became a Naval Aerospace Optometrist and pinned on aeromedical officer wings following graduation from the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, Fla. Dohm hails from Sharon, Kan., and is a 1999 graduate of Medicine Lodge High School.

USNH Yokosuka is the largest U.S. military treatment facility on mainland Japan and serves approximately 55,000 beneficiaries at its core hospital facility and clinics in Japan, Korea and Diego Garcia. One of seven clinics, Branch Health Clinic Atsugi is located on board Naval Air Facility Atsugi where it supports the service members and families of the Navy's only permanently forward deployed carrier air wing.