51ÉçÇø

Phillips Medal 

2024 Recipient

Ronald Moomaw, D.O.

As a member of the inaugural graduating class of 51ÉçÇø 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 51ÉçÇø 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 51ÉçÇø Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Moomaw also had the honor of giving the commencement address for the 51ÉçÇø College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2016.