The Army National Guard has awarded the South Dakota Deputy State Surgeon a national award.
The guard recognized Lt. Col. Kathy Gilbert with this year’s Maj. Gen. Deborah C. Wheeling DSS Award of Excellence.
Gilbert was presented the award at the National Guard Bureau Medical Team Conference held at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The agency said she earned it for her commitment to soldier medical readiness and leadership in the medical field.
"The Deputy State Surgeons out there across the 54 are really tasked heavily and we have a lot to take care of on a daily basis. I always feel like I’m working with such experts. And for the people on the panel that selected me, I feel super honored and humbled really that they felt like I was one of the best," Gilbert said. "For me, I’m super proud to take that on for our state and show that we do a great job here in South Dakota and we’re going to keep doing a good job and send people out where they need to be to help our communities."
The nominees are judged on their demonstrated inspirational performance and outstanding leadership at the state and national levels. They must also demonstrate innovation, mentorship, team building, and several other attributes.
Col. Donald Kosiak, SDNG State Surgeon, attended the conference with Gilbert.
"This award is a testament to her leadership and passion for medical readiness,” Kosiak said.
Gilbert is an officer in the Army Nurse Corps and has served as the Deputy State Surgeon in the South Dakota National Guard since 2020.
The award is presented annually to one Deputy State Surgeon.