JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
The Aerospace Medical Association has announced that U.S. Air Force Capt. (Dr.) William Hoffman, Medical Director, Joint Integrated Clinical Medicine Research, Office of the Chief Scientist, will be honored with the Raymond F. Longacre Award at the annual Aerospace Medical Association and Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Annual Scientific Meeting.
The award recognizes exceptional contributions to the psychological and psychiatric aspects of aerospace medicine, including advancements in human performance, behavioral health, and operational readiness in aviation and space environments. Named in honor of Maj. Raymond F. Longacre, a pioneer in aviation psychology, the award represents one of the field’s most respected distinctions in aerospace behavioral science.
Hoffman’s selection reflects a sustained record of excellence and meaningful impact in advancing the understanding of human factors and mental health in high-performance operational settings. His work has contributed to improving the safety, resilience, and effectiveness of personnel operating in complex aerospace environments.
Hoffman, a neurologist and aviation enthusiast, is researching the barriers keeping aviation personnel from seeking mental health care.
“Historically, aviators have experienced worry in seeking healthcare due to fear for what a change in health status would mean for their flying status,” Hoffman said. “We are interested in building data-backed ways to change this paradigm to optimize both the mental health and medical readiness of our aviation personnel.”
The award will be formally presented during AsMA’s Honors Night, a signature event recognizing leaders and innovators from across the global aerospace medicine and human performance community.