LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
As a result of her contributions to the improvement of services to the worldwide military community, Col. (Dr.) Joyce Adkins, 633d Medical Operations Squadron commander, earned the Air Force nomination for the 2011 National Public Service Award Jan. 12.
Colonel Adkins' career includes more than 26 years of public service across 12 different duty assignments in the Air Force and Department of Defense. Regarded as a pioneer in the psychology community, Colonel Adkins has been recognized for her clinical skills in mental health, substance abuse and behavioral medicine.
"Colonel Adkins' innovative ideas have played a key role in the transformation of psychological health for our deployed warriors," said Col. (Dr.) Eric B. Stone, 633d Medical Group commander.
According to Colonel Adkins, her primary concern is the health and well-being of U.S. servicemembers that make the sacrifices necessary to maintain the safety of a nation of "unsurpassed freedoms."
"I'm deeply honored to be nominated for the award and feel privileged to serve those who serve," she said, calling her uniformed career "time well spent."
The American Society for Public Administration and the National Academy of Public Administration established the NPSA to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions and whose accomplishments can be viewed as models of public service within and outside the work environment.
The colonel is authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon as a representation of the honor.
A distinguished committee from the ASPA and NAPA will review the nominations and select the final award recipients. The winner will be announced at the ASPA National Conference in April.