National Disaster Medical System recognizes Jonathan Goldner, DO, with COVID-19 Pandemic Civilian Service Medal
Jonathan Goldner, DO, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Pocono, has been awarded the Federal COVID-19 Pandemic Civilian Service Medal for his exemplary service to the nation as part of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) during the federal medical response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Goldner is a medical officer for NDMS, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. The federal program supports communities with medical care during disasters or public health emergencies at the request of states.
The medal is awarded under the authority of the U.S. Surgeon General to civilians who deployed for 30 consecutive or 60 cumulative days to provide medical care. During the recent NDMS Training Summit in Indianapolis, Goldner was recognized for his selfless commitment to public health.
“I thought I had seen it all until COVID-19 came into our world,” Goldner said. “My experience with the virus started on March 9, 2020, as a member of the NDMS. I was deployed to California, where the cruise ship Grand Princess docked for two weeks in Oakland. Initially, we had been told there were just 21 patients. The reality was there were hundreds. I spent two weeks in full isolation gear, and it became obvious our world had changed.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic strained our country’s health care system and medical personnel for almost three years,” said NDMS Director Michael Smith. “Dr. Goldner and his NDMS colleagues served as a lifeline to hundreds of hospitals and long-term care facilities by providing temporary relief to staff, adding bed capacity, and improving outcomes for COVID-19 patients. This medal is reflective of his selfless commitment to the public health and medical needs of our residents.”
Goldner has been a medical officer with the NDMS since 2014 and has held key physician leadership roles at LVH–Pocono.
Most recently, Goldner was named Chief Medical Officer of LVH–Pocono, which took effect Nov. 1, 2022.
In addition to his many accolades, Goldner has authored articles and is a co-author for the current Society of Critical Care Medicine Guidelines for Admission, Discharge and Triage in Critical Care Units, and has received numerous awards.
