Wilford Hall commander wins national medical award Published April 1, 2009 By Senior Airman Robert Barnett 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Col. (Dr.) William Beninati, 59th Medical Operations Group commander, is the recipient of the 2008 American Hospital Association Federal Health Care Executive Award for Excellence. The award was created by the American Hospital Association's Constituency Section for Federal Hospitals. It recognizes a senior federal health care executive who has distinguished him/herself through significant leadership or innovative achievements that have contributed substantially to the mission of the federal health care system. Colonel Beninati runs a 1,850-member organization comprised of eight squadrons that provide emergency, medical, surgical, orthopedic, rehabilitative, pediatric, obstetric, gynecologic, radiologic, mental health care and the Air Force's only Level I trauma center. Members of the group deploy around the world to provide lifesaving critical and surgical care to the battlefield, and humanitarian support to developing allied nations. His career-long involvement in the development of ground-breaking critical care modalities with universal application was key to his receiving this award. "I am speechless! I am just one member of a great team extending from our front-line Airmen to the Headquarters," said Colonel Beninati. "I am deeply appreciative of the support from the wing for what the 59th Medical Operations Group has accomplished, and for supporting me for this award." Among his many accomplishments, Colonel Beninati was recognized for the development and improvement of expeditionary aeromedical capabilities that have reduced the average time between battlefield injury and definitive care from 38 to less than four days, a 14 percent reduction in mortality. He is bringing this vision to the development of the San Antonio Military Medical Center as a key member of its Executive Steering Committee. Colonel Beninati will receive the award at the Joint Federal Sector Breakfast during the next American College of Healthcare Executives annual meeting on March 26, 2009 in Chicago, Ill.