FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BioMedSA Names Dr. Donald H. Jenkins the 2026 Innovative Clinical Care Award Recipient
(SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS) — July 1, 2026 — BioMedSA announced today that Donald H. Jenkins, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Vice Chair for Quality at UT Health San Antonio, has been selected as the 2026 BioMedSA Innovative Clinical Care Award recipient. A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and nationally recognized trauma surgeon, Dr. Jenkins is credited with transforming emergency trauma care in South Texas and across the country through innovations that have saved countless lives.
Dr. Jenkins pioneered the region’s groundbreaking whole blood rotation system, known nationally as the San Antonio Model. This system ensures that low‑titer O‑positive whole blood is available to emergency responders in the field—often in rural or remote areas—before being rotated back to trauma centers for use prior to expiration. The result is a sustainable, low‑waste supply chain that delivers life‑saving transfusions earlier, when they matter most. Clinical studies have shown dramatic reductions in mortality for trauma patients who receive whole blood before arriving at the hospital.
His leadership helped bring this innovation to South Texas through collaboration with the U.S. military, South Texas Blood & Tissue, University Hospital, and the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC). The model has since been adopted across the nation and used in mass‑casualty events, severe accidents, maternal hemorrhage cases, and other emergencies where rapid blood replacement is critical.
Eric Epley, CEO and Executive Director of STRAC and Dr. Jenkins’ nominator, emphasized the significance of Dr. Jenkins’ public‑health impact for San Antonio, the U.S. Military, and communities nationwide.
Rebeca Clay-Flores, Bexar County Commissioner of Precinct 1, emphasized the regional impact of Jenkins’ work. “The whole blood program has become one of the most important public health advancements in our region,” she said. “Dr. Jenkins’ leadership and innovative work ensures that lifesaving care reaches people faster—whether they are in the inner-city or in the most rural parts of South Texas.”
As a former Trauma Medical Director at Wilford Hall and a key architect of the Joint Theater Trauma System, Dr. Jenkins helped improve battlefield survival rates for U.S. service members. His ability to translate military medical advances into civilian practice has made San Antonio a national model for trauma innovation.
“Dr. Jenkins’ achievements are possible because of San Antonio’s uniquely collaborative ecosystem, where military medicine, civilian healthcare, and regional partners work side by side,” said Heather Hanson, President of BioMedSA. “His innovations have directly saved lives across South Texas and beyond, and they reflect the power of what this community can accomplish together for patients.”
Robert I. Miller, MD, MBA, FAAP, FACHE, Lt Gen, USAF, Ret, Associate Vice President and Director, Military Health Institute at The University of Texas at San Antonio, remarked, “Dr. Don Jenkins is a legend in military medicine and a “War Doc” with multiple deployments. Few have served as the Trauma Director of the Joint Theater System in charge of casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan, and his efforts helped bring whole blood transfusions to the battlefield. His legacy impacting training, research and the delivery of care in the Military Health System is unmatched, and it’s an honor to work with him at the Military Health Institute.”
Upon being notified of his selection, Dr. Jenkins expressed gratitude for the partners who helped bring these innovations to life. “This recognition reflects the work of an entire community—EMS providers, military colleagues, blood‑bank leaders, trauma surgeons, and dedicated teams across South Texas,” Jenkins said. “Together, we’ve built a system that gives patients a fighting chance when seconds matter.”
This announcement completes BioMedSA’s 2026 award slate. In addition to the Innovative Clinical Care Award, BioMedSA will also honor Dr. Robert A. Clark as the recipient of the Innovative Research Award and Entrepreneur Award honoree, Dr. Jim Leininger, at the 2026 Award for Innovation in Healthcare and Bioscience on September 23, 2026. All three awards are part of BioMedSA’s Awards for Innovation in Healthcare and Bioscience program, which recognizes excellence in patient care, education, research and development, leadership, public policy, and medical technology.
To learn more about previous award winners, sponsorship opportunities, or to register to attend the 2026 Award for Innovation in Healthcare and Bioscience, visit www.biomedsa.org/innovation-award.
CONTACT:
Sarah Jury
BioMedSA
(210) 468-1829
sjury@biomedsa.org