The Phillips Medal of Public Service
The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine established the Phillips Medal of Public Service in 1976. The college awards the Phillips Medal annually to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to health care, education or public service.
The Phillips Medal of Public Service
The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine established the Phillips Medal of Public Service in 1976. The college awards the Phillips Medal annually to recognize individuals who make significant contributions to health care, education or public service.
2024 Phillips Medal of Public Service Recipient Ronald Moomaw, D.O.
Ronald Moomaw, D.O. ('80)
As a member of the inaugural graduating class of Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1980, Ronald Moomaw, D.O., has enjoyed a decades-long career in psychiatric medicine, during which he has worked with both the general population as well as the men and women on the cutting-edge of space exploration at NASA.
Following his time at HCOM, Moomaw completed a combined civilian/military residency at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Green County, Ohio. He went on to become a lifetime board-certified psychiatrist with the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry; and holds certifications as a NASA flight surgeon and an Air Force flight surgeon/combat casualty with a sub-specialty in aerospace medicine.
For 13 years, Moomaw served as only the seventh psychiatrist in NASA's history to provide direct care to astronauts and their families. While working for NASA he was able to witness history as a member of the first responder team onsite at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for launches of STS 129–STS 135, the final six launches of the historic American Space Shuttle program. He was also a staff psychiatrist at Methodist Transplant and Specialty Hospital in San Antonio, Texas during this time.
Moomaw served as a Major in the US Air Force, as a staff psychiatrist for the largest psychiatric residency training program in the Air Force and as the section commander/director of outpatient services and the alcohol and drug rehabilitation unit. Later, he worked as chief psychiatrist/director of human services for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for the State of Ohio. Moomaw also opened and directed emergency psychiatric treatment for two, 24-hour Psychiatric Emergency Centers for NetCare Corporation from 1993–2000.
Moomaw was previously appointed as an assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, and as assistant professor at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio, and has served on numerous state and national boards.
Currently, Moomaw works as a psychiatrist in a private practice in Plano, Texas.
During his career, Moomaw has received multiple honors, including in 2021 when he was the first physician to be awarded the National NASA Public Service Award for his exceptional public service, performance and vital contributions to NASA. Additional awards include the Air Force Achievement Medal, a Distinguished Alumni Medal from Otterbein University, a Fellow of the American College of Neurologist and Psychiatrists and a Distinguished Service Award from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Moomaw also had the honor of giving the commencement address for the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2016.
The Phillips Medal of Public Service is named for the late J. Wallace Phillips and Jody Galbreath Phillips, longtime friends of Ohio University.
Mr. Phillips was the attorney for John W. Galbreath and Co., Columbus, Ohio. During his distinguished career, he served as president of the Board of Trustees of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, member of the Board of Trustees at Franklin University and trustee of Vanderbilt University. In addition, he was president of the Columbus Rotary Club, a 33rd degree Mason, and a member of The Jockey Club and the Columbus and Ohio Bar Associations.
Mrs. Phillips was a graduate of Ohio University, a member and chair of the Ohio University Board of Trustees, a member of the college’s advisory board, and president or board member of such groups as Twig 99 of Children’s Hospital, First Community Church, Junior League, Buckeye Boys Ranch, Childhood League, Columbus Association of the Performing Arts, the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts and the Board of Trustees of Doctors Hospital North.
J. Wallace Phillips and Jody Galbreath Phillips
Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
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