Newswise — (Honolulu, HI) - Shin J. Oh, MD, received the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine’s (AANEM) highest honor, the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award, at the AANEM 2015 Annual Meeting in Honolulu, HI. Dr. Oh was recognized for the breadth and depth of his contributions to the electrodiagnostic (EDX) and neuromuscular (NM) fields.

“It is humbling to receive the highest honor given by the AANEM – the one professional organization I have treasured most throughout my career,” said Dr. Oh. “By choosing me for this award, the AANEM and its members recognized my contributions. I feel extremely gratified and satisfied at this stage of my life. I can proudly show this to my grandchildren, telling them that their Grandpa has played a small but significant role in the development of electrodiagnostic medicine.”

Dr. Oh obtained his medical doctor degree from Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, followed by residency in neurology at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. In 1970, he joined the faculty of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine, becoming chief of neurology at the VA medical center, as well as the director of the electromyography and evoked potential laboratory, and director of the muscle and nerve histopathology laboratory, titles he would hold for the next 40 years -- one of the longest such tenures in the history of American medicine.

Dr. Oh has served in many capacities for the AANEM, including chairing numerous committees, courses, and workshops over the last four decades. Through his continuous involvement with the AANEM, he has broadened knowledge of EDX/NM medicine by identifying unresolved clinical and research issues, designing and performing research, and publishing conclusions. A prolific author, he has produced 230 articles, 28 books and book chapters, and 237 abstracts. He is an exceptional educational writer with a particular gift for clearly and directly explaining even the most complex of physiological and histological methods. He has also written numerous texts which have become classics of the field. He is a renowned teacher, legendary and beloved for his teaching within the UAB, and has trained generations of medical students, residents, and fellows.

Looking to the future, Dr. Oh says, “In my lifetime, this field has shown exponential growth through computer technology, and immunological and molecular-genetic, and pharmacological innovations.” He believes this is an exciting time to be practicing EDX/NM medicine.

About AANEMFounded in 1953, the AANEM is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and electrodiagnostic medicine. Nearly 5000 physician members—primarily neurologists and physiatrists—are now joined by allied health professionals and PhD researchers working to improve the quality of medical care provided to patients with muscle and nerve disorders. AANEM programs are guided by its five pillars: education, professional standards, advocacy, communications, and research. Its administrative office is located in Rochester, MN. More information about AANEM Achievement Awards and Dr. Oh’s credentials is available at www.aanem.org/awards.