Each year the American Medical Writers Association recognizes achievements in medical communications. Among the award recipients for 2014, announced in August, is Medical Corps Officer Col. Martha K. Lenhart, who is currently assigned to the Chemical Casualty Care Division of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

Lenhart, an orthopedist specializing in hand surgery, served as the executive medical editor for the Borden Institute-published book Emergency War Surgery, which was recognized with a first place AMWA book award in the Physicians category. Additionally, Lenhart's work as editor in chief can be credited for an honorable mention, or second place finish, for another Borden Institute publication, Medical Consequences of Radiological and Nuclear Weapons, which is part of the renowned Textbooks of Military Medicine 24-volume series.

"These publications were the tangible result of collaborative efforts by Borden Institute staff and subject matter experts," Lenhart said. "The Borden Institute has a history of award-winning publications that exemplify the art and science of military medicine."

Before reporting to the USAMRICD in the summer of 2013, Lenhart served as the director of the Borden Institute, which is a subordinate element of the Army Medical Department Center and School with split-base operations at Joint Base Fort Sam Houston in Texas and at Fort Detrick in Maryland. While assuming her duties as deputy chief of Administration in the Chemical Casualty Care Division, Lenhart continued her executive oversight of the Emergency War Surgery, 4th U.S. Revision, thus ensuring the success of the publication. The book "addresses the appropriate medical management of blast wounds, burns and multiple penetrating injuries, as well as other battle and non-battle injuries." According to BI releases, the updated version also "reflects lessons learned from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and represents state-of-the-art principles and practices of forward trauma surgery."

Lenhart managed chapter contributions and oversaw the publication of the Medical Consequences of Radiological and Nuclear Weapons while serving as BI's director. The comprehensive textbook provides health care professionals - both military and civilian - with vital tools for medically managing casualties of a radiological or nuclear event.

According to Dr. Timothy K. Jones, assistant director of the BI, the organization's purpose is "to foster and promote excellence in operational and military academic medicine through enhancement of the full spectrum of military clinical education by developing, publishing and maintaining relevant and timely military medical scholarship." With the announcement of these newest AMWA recognitions, 11 BI books have now garnered a total of 16 awards.