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Respiratory Therapist Awards
Senior Airman Valerie H. Velasco distinguished herself by professional achievement while serving as Critical Care Air Transport Team Respiratory Therapist, 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Airman Velasco's outstanding professional skill, knowledge, and leadership were critical to the aeromedical evacuation operations in support of Operations FREEDOM'S SENTINAL and ALLIES REFUGE. Her actions directly contributed to saving the lives of five United States Marines injured by an Improvised Explosive Device at Hamid Karzai International Airport during evacuation operations. In addition, she volunteered for more than 40 hours to prepare Ramstein Air Base for an estimated 30,000 Afghan refugees, assisting in the setup of living space and distributing clothing with the American Red Cross. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Velasco reflect credit upon herself, the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Cynthia D. Moorehaus distinguished herself by professional achievement while serving as Critical Care Air Transport Team Respiratory Therapist, 775th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, 375th Operations Group, 375th Air Mobility Wing, Joint Base Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. During this period, Sergeant Moorehaus developed and established Transport Isolation System (TIS) doctrine as she rapidly responded to movement requests for three priority patients in support of Operations FREEDOM'S SENTINEL and COVID Response. On 7 April 2020, during mission REACH 725, she exploited her clinical experience to care for three patients diagnosed with COVID-19 as they underwent transport to a higher echelon of care. Due to her vigilance, the patients remained stable and did not further deteriorate at any point in the flight. Her participation in this mission validated the TIS as a vital resource for the Air Force and Department of Defense during the transport of infectious patients and led to the successful execution of the inaugural Transport Isolation System mission in support of the global COVID-19 epidemic. Her unwavering dedication to the men and women of the military and her expert clinical skills ensured quality care for all the patients she transported and established a benchmark for the future transportation of COVID-19 patients. The professional skill and airmanship displayed by Staff Sergeant Moorehaus reflect great credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.
Senior Airman Robert M. Janssen distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Critical Care Air Transport Team Respiratory Therapist, 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight, 721st Mission Support Squadron, 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. During this period, Airman Janssen displayed extraordinary teamwork, professionalism, and skill in the provision of patient care aboard medical evacuation aircraft while supporting the successful evacuation of over 120,000 American and allied evacuees in support of Operation ALLIES REFUGE. His swift actions and decisive medical care resulted in the safe delivery of four critically ill and injured patients to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment and had a profound impact on the lives and families of many American and Coalition Forces. In addition, Airman Janssen provided vital en route critical care in support of Operation FREEDOM's SENTINEL and COVID-19 medical evacuations. He flew 13 combat support sorties that allowed his unit to maintain 24-hour medical evacuation coverage, supporting a wide range of military operations, and enabling warfighters to carry out missions with confidence and theater commanders to achieve national objectives. The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Janssen reflect credit upon himself, the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Demetrius A. Warren distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Respiratory Care Practitioner, 60th Surgical Operations Squadron, 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California. During this period, Sergeant Warren led Cardiopulmonary services and performed 323 cardiology and 134 pulmonary procedures, averting over four hundred thousand dollars in network referral costs. In addition, he deployed in Defense Support of Civil Authorities relief where he staged five teams, maintained and operated equipment valued at more than two million dollars, to support a population of 20 million. Furthermore, he served as alternate Phase II supervisor while guiding nine students to a 90 percent pass rate, and garnered three Certified Respiratory Therapy certifications, expanding organic capabilities by fifty percent. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Warren reflect credit upon himself, the 60th Surgical Operations Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Staff Sergeant Roman B. Andersen distinguished himself by professional achievement while serving as Task Force Respiratory Therapist, Saint Francis Medical Center, Monroe, Louisiana. During this period, in support of Department of Defense COVID-19 Operations, Sergeant Andersen deployed at the request of the Lead Federal Agency to support the resilience of civilian medical staffing at Saint Francis Medical Center in Monroe, Louisiana. As a Task Force Respiratory Therapist, he supported the U.S. Northern Command's efforts to stabilize the civilian sector, aiding 25 in-patient units with mechanical ventilatory capabilities, directly facilitating the stabilization of the health care workers in a 317-bed hospital. Additionally, he rendered over 200 hours in the Cardiovascular Recovery Unit, Medical Surgery and Neurological Unit, and the Intensive Care Unit. Finally, his outstanding leadership, professionalism and efforts during a pandemic unprecedented in the history of Louisiana significantly reduced the impact of Covid-19 across the state, mitigating suffering and protecting lives. The distinctive accomplishments of Staff Sergeant Andersen reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.