The work of one of the Department of Defense’s foremost experts on the treatment of traumatic brain injury was recently honored with the department's highest award given to career DOD civilian employees.

Dr. Louis French, the deputy director of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence , was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Award by U.S. Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ron Place, then the director of the Defense Health Agency, during a ceremony on Dec. 2, 2022.

French oversees all clinical and research operations at the NICoE, which is the headquarters of the Defense Intrepid Network for TBI and Brain Health, also called the Defense Intrepid Network.

He has more than 20 years of experience in the TBI field and is considered to be one of the world’s top experts in military TBI.

Leadership from DHA, the National Capital Region, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and the NICoE, as well as colleagues, family, and friends attended the ceremony, which was held at the NICoE.

“Dr. French is a tremendous asset to the NICoE and the larger Defense Intrepid Network for TBI and Brain Health,” said U.S. Navy Capt. (Dr.) Carlos Williams, director of the NICoE. “His leadership, accomplishments, and advancements for the Military Health System and broader U.S. government in the area of TBI and psychological health have been instrumental in transforming the lives of countless service members and their families."