Public Health Specialist Awards
Technical Sergeant Angela C. Hannabarberra distinguished herself by outstanding achievement while serving as Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Public Health Flight, 380th Expeditionary Medical Group, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. During this period, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, Sergeant Hannabarberra inspected over two million dollars of Meals Ready To Eat and identified two tons of meals unfit for human consumption. Concurrently, she evaluated 227 food and public facilities, conducted food vulnerability assessments for six facilities, provided food handler training for 39 Third Country Nationals and seven military members, securing 4.6 million dollars of subsistence with zero food-borne illness outbreaks. Additionally, she in-processed over one thousand Air Expeditionary Wing new arrivals and briefed disease prevention methods, improving Area of Responsibility occupational health awareness and mission readiness. Finally, Sergeant Hannabarberra served as NCOIC of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Honor Guard, overseeing 39 Airmen and the completion of 30 ceremonies. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Hannabarberra reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman George W. Lane distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Public Health Journeyman, 23rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 23rd Wing, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. During this period, Airman Lane's professional skill, knowledge, and leadership aided immeasurably in identifying problem areas in the Physical Examination Processing Program and in developing and implementing processes capable of solving these problems. He meticulously managed and tracked over 120 initial flying class physical examinations for Air Force personnel retraining into pilot, navigator and other critical aircrew positions. In addition, he authored and implemented a new checklist for the Physical Examination Processing Program for patients to complete during their initial flying class physical appointment. His tireless efforts reduced patient visits by 50 percent and dramatically reduced the average certification time from three months to one month. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Lane reflect credit upon himself, the 23rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Christopher Santiago distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Public Health Technician, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California. During this period, Senior Airman Santiago's professional skill and knowledge directly contributed to the 60th Air Mobility Wing's Global Mobility mission and was indispensable to the medical deployment process. While assigned to the Occupational Health Flight, he improved the Medical Employee Health immunization compliance rate from 90 percent to 97 percent and maintained it for over 11 months. In addition, he corrected 268 occupational health exam deficiencies, increasing the exam compliance rate from 85 percent to 95 percent in less than two months. Finally, his exemplary conduct on and off duty was integral to him being awarded Squadron Dorm Room of the 2nd Quarter and 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Airman of the Year. The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Santiago reflect credit upon himself, the 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Reuben Gonzalez distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Public Health Technician, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California. During this period, Airman Gonzalez managed four vital programs during the Element Chief's six week absence, ensuring all program requirments were met with zero mission delays. He coordinated and processed 166 Initial Flying Class Physicals, enforcing medical standards and ensuring all critical commisioning and accessions were completed within 30 days. Additionally, he created five templates for Initial Flying Class Physicals and trained eleven technicians on their use, providing a seamless transition, improving the exam process, and decreasing the workload by 20 percent. Finally, as a member of the medical Deployment Clearance Team, he diligently scrutinized records, medically qualifying over 1,500 personnel for Operational Readiness Exercises with zero discrepancies or mission delays. His dedication and attention to detail was integral to the Public Health Flight winning the Wing of the Year Award. The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Gonzalez reflect credit upon himself, the 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Jeremiah K. Larez distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Public Health Journeyman, 39th Medical Operations Squadron, 39th Medical Group, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. In this important assignment, Senior Airman Larez performed 345 hearing examinations, eradicating overdue appointments by increasing occupational health access to care by 75 percent, and boosting the Wing's Occupational Health compliance rate from 91 to 100 percent, making the Wing number one in the Air Force. Additionally, he reviewed 15 industrial case files and identified and corrected four critical OSHA issues which contributed to the flight's "Outstanding" rating during the Health Services Inspection (HSI). Moreover, Airman Larez monitored 13 patients' medication therapy which resulted in zero active tuberculosis cases on base and was a key factor in the Tubercolusis Detection and Control program's success. Finally, his identification of two critical issues during Food Vulnerability Assessments of ten facilities led to the fortification of the Wing's vital food supply. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Larez reflect credit upon himself, the 39th Medical Operations Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Vanessa Y. Kernan distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Deployment Medicine, Public Health Flight, 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 374th Medical Group, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan. During this period, Sergeant Kernan's exceptional guidance and supervision of the Deployment Medicine Element was key to the Group's first ever "Outstanding" rating during the Health Services Inspection. She managed the medical clearance of 2,675 deployers and corrected eighty documentation errors that led to one hundred percent accuracy of 1,458 duty limiting conditions and contributed to the Group winning the Air Force Surgeon General's "Best Hospital" in the Pacific Air Forces. In addition, she performed three hundred sanitation inspections during annual base open house events, safeguarding the health of 360,000 attendees. Finally, as the flight's training monitor, Sergeant Kernan implemented the Air Force Training Record program and ensured a one hundred percent completion rate, leading to the Group's number one ranking in the Pacific Air Forces. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Kernan reflect credit upon herself, the 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Dominic B. Angeles distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Public Health Technician, 28th Medical Operations Squadron, 28th Medical Group, 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. During this period, the unwavering efforts of Airman Angeles contributed to the success of Air Force Medical Service programs. He administered 1,850 audiograms for base personnel enrolled in the Hearing Conservation Program, maintaining a 98 percent completion rate, and exceeding the Air Force goal by nine percent. Additionally, he performed 62 food safety and sanitation inspections and enforced the standards outlined by the Food and Drug Administration, validating 1.4 million dollars of food safe for procurement and consumption. Further, Airman Angeles' attention to detail and dedication to the 28th Bomb Wing contributed to his recognition as the 28th Medical Operations Squadron Airman of the Quarter and the 28th Medical Group winning the Air Combat Command Best Clinic award. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Angeles reflect credit upon himself, the 28th Medical Operations Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Kaila R. Williams distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Public Health Technician, 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 21st Medical Group, 21st Space Wing, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. During this period, Airman Williams contributed to the Medical Employee Health Program, tracking over 2,000 requirements for 489 medics, achieving a one hundred percent compliance rate, and the number one spot in Air Force Space Command. Additionally, Airman Williams oversaw the Hearing Conservation Program for 1,300 members, saving the Department of Defense seven million dollars in disability claims. Finally, Airman Williams co-authored a Hearing Conservation Tri-fold, correcting seven discrepancies, resulting in the approval of the Air Force Medical Operations Agency and adoption of the tool Air Force wide. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Williams reflect credit upon herself, the 21st Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Master Sergeant Calvin D. Jones distinguished himself by outstanding achievement while serving as Operations Flight NCOIC, 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron, 449th Air Expeditionary Group, 435th Air Expeditionary Wing, Camp Simba, Forward Operating Location Manda Bay Kenya. During this period, Sergeant Jones guided Airmen from multiple Air Force Specialties in assuming Base Operational Support responsibilities from the Navy and successfully established the United States Air Force Africa's premier Forward Operating Location in East Africa. As the camp's Public Health specialist, he established the Air Force's first preventive medicine programs in the region by conducting a food and water vulnerability assessment, surveying endemic diseases, and developing controls to ensure the health and operational readiness of 323 joint service and special operations personnel. Additionally, Sergeant Jones led a Food and Water Risk Assessment with contracting personnel and special operators to procure local foods for the camp. These actions were critical to establishing an economic bond and intelligence links with the local community, while denying a safe haven for Al-Shabaab terrorists. Finally Sergeant Jones was vital to the professional development of 101 wingmen by creating 23 weekly Airmanship seminars that linked isolated Airmen with information critical to their careers and families. The distinctive accomplishments of Master Sergeant Jones reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Anna D. Ritchey distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Public Health Technician, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 81st Training Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. During this period, Sergeant Ritchey supervised the administrative duties of the Base Operational Medicine Cell, scheduling more than 450 sister service, firefighter, and flyer Periodic Health Assessments and Audiograms. Additionally, she completed 2,300 Periodic Health Assessment reviews with a compliance rate of one hundred percent for seven months. Furthermore, while conducting medical record reviews, Sergeant Ritchey identified critical responses and saved the lives of two Airmen. Finally, Sergeant Ritchey was the Administration team lead for the Field Response Team, executing a flawless Push-to-Pull exercise, identifying key patient identifier mistakes, and leading the entire enlisted Flight Medicine Team. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Ritchey reflect credit upon herself, the 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Airman First Class Marcus Middlebrook distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Public Health Technician, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 81st Training Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. During this period, the professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Airman Middlebrook resulted in major contributions to the effectiveness and success of Keesler Air Force Base's Public Health Programs. In 24 months, Airman Middlebrook completed a total of 130 food safety and public facility inspections, ensuring the sanitation and standards of dining, fitness, youth, and public facilities were in compliance with requirements. Additionally, he completed 457 audiograms for members across the Department of Defense, including personnel from all five military branches, contractors, and General Schedule employees. Moreover, Airman Middlebrook was the program manager for 52 hazardous duty locations within the 81st and the 403rd Wings, identifying and correcting all safety and hazardous material risks for each shop. Finally, Airman Middlebrook assisted in medically clearing 469 deploying personnel with zero discrepancies. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Middlebrook reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Shantya J. Slye distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Food Safety and Entomology Non Commissioned Officer in Charge, 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 81st Training Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. During this period, Sergeant Slye was the only technician during the Mycoplasma Pneumonia outbreak to positively identify the causative agent in 107 patients and developed mitigation plans to prevent further health risks. Additionally, Sergeant Slye was the only Public Health Technician reviewing Periodic Health Assessments, completing more than 4,000 Department of Defense record reviews in two years. Furthermore, Sergeant Slye established an effective process for both the sickle cell trait tracking initiative and environmental exposures in military housing, safeguarding the lives of all base personnel. Finally, Sergeant Slye led her team during a hazardous material incident and salvaged enough food to feed 750 families in Mississippi's neglected communities. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Slye reflect great credit upon herself, the 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Natalie O. Wagner distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Public Health Supervisor, 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, 60th Medical Group, Travis Air Force Base, California. During this period, Sergeant Wagner supported the Wing's response to two natural disasters, during which she helped medically clear over 300 members across two Wings in less than eight hours. In addition, she managed the blood borne pathogen program and oversaw the handling of 60 cases in which she identified risk factors and safeguarded 2,600 hospital employees. Furthermore, she aided the installation's antiterrorism program through the execution of the Food Vulnerability Assessment, directing three facility evaluations, scrutinizing 60 line items, and correcting two findings. Finally, Sergeant Wagner's efforts contributed to the 60th Medical Group earning the Air Mobility Command Hospital of the Year and the 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron earning the Wing's Eagle Trophy of the Quarter. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Wagner reflect credit upon herself, the 60th Aerospace Medicine Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Danielle A. Koivisto distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Public Health Technician, 42nd Medical Group, 42nd Air Base Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Airman Koivisto's outstanding professional skill, knowledge and leadership aided in the effectiveness of the Medical Group. Her expertise in managing food safety and sanitation inspections was vital to protecting 40 million dollars in subsistence while enforcing Food and Drug Administration compliance in 64 facilities on Maxwell and Gunter. Additionally Airman Koivisto reorganized the Community Health section and conducted 81 Influenza investigations, assessed communicable risk, ensured treatment, and halted the spread of disease among 17,000 personnel throughout the Maxwell and Gunter community. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Koivisto reflect credit upon herself, the 42nd Medical Group, and the United States Air Force.