Courtesy Photo | U.S. Air Force Maj. Shawn Kim participates in the Freedom Shield exercise as a...... read more read more
One Airman's recovery from obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease became more than a clinical success at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. It exemplified how trust, teamwork and patient ownership can restore readiness - an approach that earned U.S. Air Force Maj. Shawn Kim recognition as an Air Force Medical Service Trusted Care Hero.
As the sole internal medicine physician assigned to the 51st Medical Group at Osan Air Base, Korea, Kim manages complex chronic diseases affecting Airmen's health and readiness.
The patient's first appointment with Kim lasted nearly 90 minutes - longer than a typical clinic visit. Before discussing medications, Kim focused on understanding the patient's health, lifestyle, career, motivations and barriers to lasting change.
"A treatment plan cannot succeed if the patient is a passive participant in their own health," Kim said. "The patient has to understand where their health stands, what medications they are taking, why those medications matter, and how diet, exercise, sleep and consistency affect the bigger picture."
Seeing the need for a multidisciplinary approach, Kim partnered with specialists in nutritional medicine, pharmacy and disease management to develop a comprehensive plan tailored to the patient's needs.
"Good medical care requires recognizing that different disciplines see the patient from different angles," Kim said. "When those perspectives come together, the treatment plan becomes much stronger."
Rather than focusing on a single diagnosis, Kim said the team approached the patient's health as a long-term journey.
"We talked about the fact that this would be a marathon, not a quick fix into perfection," he said.
The patient's insulin therapy was eventually discontinued following significant weight loss and reversal of fatty liver disease.
U.S. Air Force Col. Amanda L. Siangco, 51st Healthcare Operations Squadron commander, credited Kim’s patient-centered approach with restoring the Airman’s health, reducing future medical risk and strengthening Air Force readiness for the individual and the unit.
"For an active duty member, improving obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease is not just about better lab numbers," he said. "It can improve energy, confidence, physical performance, long-term health and readiness. When we do this well, we are not only treating disease; we are helping restore the patient's ability to function and perform."
The case also reaffirmed Kim's perspective on practicing medicine in a demanding military healthcare system.
"There is a lot of burnout in medicine, especially in military medicine," he said. "Military providers are often balancing clinical care, administrative requirements, readiness demands, staffing limitations, and frequent system changes."
Kim said providers can make the greatest impact by remaining focused on the patient in front of them.
"This case was a reminder that sometimes the best way to improve access and outcomes is to slow down enough to get the care right the first time," he said. "High-quality care may take more time up front, but it can prevent complications, reduce unnecessary visits and improve long-term readiness."
Kim hopes his experience encourages fellow military healthcare professionals to pursue excellence regardless of the challenges.
"My advice is simple: Do not become complacent," he said. "We still have a responsibility to the patient in front of us. We may not be able to fix the entire system, but we can still choose to practice with integrity, better ourselves with continued learning and refuse to let frustration turn into indifference."
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2026 07:02 |
| Story ID: | 568931 |
| Location: | FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Air Force physician promotes trusted, patient-centered care at Osan Air Base, by Maristela Romero, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
