$Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, laser and research chief with the 59th Medical Specialty Squadron, uses a fractional carbon dioxide laser to treat a patient’s scar at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 7. The laser treatment, also known as fractional skin resurfacing, goes deep into the epidermis of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen to create firm and smooth skin. Hivnor recently earned the San Antonio Business Journal 2016 Health Care Hero award for his contributions to health care in the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)$

Dermatologist earns health care hero award

Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, laser and research chief with the 59th Medical Specialty Squadron, uses a fractional carbon dioxide laser to treat a patient’s scar at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 7. The laser treatment, also known as fractional skin resurfacing, goes deep into the epidermis of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen to create firm and smooth skin. Hivnor recently earned the San Antonio Business Journal 2016 Health Care Hero award for his contributions to health care in the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

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$Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, laser and research chief with the 59th Medical Specialty Squadron, uses a fractional carbon dioxide laser to treat a patient’s scar at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 7. The laser treatment, also known as fractional skin resurfacing, goes deep into the epidermis of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen to create firm and smooth skin. Hivnor recently earned the San Antonio Business Journal 2016 Health Care Hero award for his contributions to health care in the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)$

Dermatologist earns health care hero award

Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, laser and research chief with the 59th Medical Specialty Squadron, uses a fractional carbon dioxide laser to treat a patient’s scar at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 7. The laser treatment, also known as fractional skin resurfacing, goes deep into the epidermis of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen to create firm and smooth skin. Hivnor recently earned the San Antonio Business Journal 2016 Health Care Hero award for his contributions to health care in the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
$Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, laser and research chief with the 59th Medical Specialty Squadron, uses a fractional carbon dioxide laser to treat a patient’s scar at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 7. The laser treatment, also known as fractional skin resurfacing, goes deep into the epidermis of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen to create firm and smooth skin. Hivnor recently earned the San Antonio Business Journal 2016 Health Care Hero award for his contributions to health care in the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)$

Dermatologist earns health care hero award

Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, laser and research chief with the 59th Medical Specialty Squadron, uses a fractional carbon dioxide laser to treat a patient’s scar at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Oct. 7. The laser treatment, also known as fractional skin resurfacing, goes deep into the epidermis of the skin and stimulates the production of collagen to create firm and smooth skin. Hivnor recently earned the San Antonio Business Journal 2016 Health Care Hero award for his contributions to health care in the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kevin Iinuma)

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Dermatologist earns health care hero award

Published Oct. 12, 2016
By Shannon Carabajal
59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- The San Antonio Business Journal recently honored a 59th Medical Wing dermatologist for his contributions to health care in the local community.

Col. (Dr.) Chad Hivnor, laser and research chief with the 59th Medical Specialty Squadron, earned the 2016 Health Care Hero award in the military medicine category.

This is the second time Hivnor has earned the award, which recognizes people who have had an impact on San Antonio through their concern for patients, their research and inventions, their management skills, and their innovative programs for employees and their services, according to the journal’s website.

For Hivnor, the award represents much more than his personal work.

“This award is indicative and reflective of the great care we give our patients and the education we provide to the next generation of military dermatologists,” he said.

Although Hivnor separated from the active-duty Air Force, he continues to work with patients and residents at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center as a Reservist.

Hivnor said he believes in inspiring others to excel and to treat patients with the utmost respect and honor that they deserve. “Especially those who have served and been injured, it’s what’s most important,” he said.

“Dr. Hivnor has been treating wounded warriors at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for the past nine years,” said Maj. (Dr.) Casey Bowen, 59th MDW medical laser safety officer and staff dermatologist.

“He has paved the way for the treatment of traumatic and burn scars with fractionated carbon dioxide lasers, as well as for laser hair removal procedures and Botox treatments that help ensure the proper function of prosthetic limbs,” said Bowen. “He is truly a shining star in military medicine.”

Award winners will be honored at a dinner and awards presentation Oct. 12 at Pearl Stable in San Antonio.