The U.S. Department of Defense honored Lewis Zirkle, MD, with the Medal for Distinguished Public Service, according to Katu 2.
Here are four notes:
1. Dr. Zirkle was honored the medal for his charity work overseas, both in treating patients and educating physicians.
2. Prior to opening a private practice in Richland, Wash., Dr. Zirkle served as an orthopedic surgeon in the Vietnam War.
3. Dr. Zirkle created Sign Fracture Care International, an organization the travels to developing countries to train surgeons while also providing the communities implants and surgical tools.
4. The Medal for Distinguished Public Service is the highest award the Department of Defense bestows on a private citizen, non-career federal employees or foreign nationals.