Air Force names flight, 4 medical technicians best

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. A.C. Eggman
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
One flight and four individuals in the 35th Medical Group were recently recognized for their hard work by being named the best in their respective fields in Air Force Health Services for 2006.

The 35th Public Health Flight was named the Outstanding Public Health Team of the Year. The team delivered the best preventive care and safe food program for more than 11,000 Department of Defense beneficiaries at home station and deployed locations worldwide.

"We have a superb team here," said Maj. Mahendra Kabbur, 35th Aerospace Medicine Squadron public health flight commander. "We always try to do our best."

The team was the first base to have zero findings during 40 inspections in three years. They led 769 real world deployment medical clearances and were the first base to establish the post-deployment medical screenings to capture potential problems early. They also raised occupational health exam completion rates to 98 percent in only four months.

"It's teamwork - we get a taskings and we come together as a team," said the major.

Some of the team's other accomplishments are zero write-ups during the 2006 Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program inspection, ensuring zero food-borne outbreaks through a thorough food inspection program, which includes the commissary, and had 100 percent compliance with the anthrax and smallpox programs.

"There is no 'I' in team and the Public Health Flight embodied and exemplify that," said Lt. Col. Kevin Connolly, 35th AMDS commander. "They do a phenomenal job and work together as a team." 

Individual Air Force award winners were Master Sgt. Robin Hawkins, Master Sgt. Edrick Garces, Mrs. Holly Wiley, and Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Kahapea.

Sergeant Hawkins said she believes setting goals and working on them does pay off, but winning Laboratory Senior NCO of the Year, was a team effort.

"My first thoughts were hard work does pay off and this award is bigger than me," said the 19-year veteran. "It represents the dedicated lab team at Misawa. We have a good group of people and we take care of each other.

Some of Sergeant Hawkins accomplishments include leading the squadron's largest fight with 38 lab, pharmacy, x-ray and nutritional medical troops; fixing seven broken programs and treating 1,000 patients. He also supported Yokota Air Base with a manning assistance visit, filling a 60-day gap, and easing a 64 percent manning shortage while improving 10 of Yokota's processes.

"I believe if you perform at the best level in your current job, it will open opportunities to excel at higher levels," said Sergeant Hawkins. "Being goal oriented, I continually set goals and work on them diligently until they're accomplished."

During 2006, Sergeant Hawkins also was key in administering nearly 2,100 flu shots, helping immunize 70 percent of the active duty populace in three days; processed and drew blood from 600 Misawa members; enhanced the base's relationship with the Japanese Red Cross; and trained 700 wing Airmen on first-aid skills.

The sergeant said the reason she works hard is to be a good role model for her three children.

Winning Outstanding Health Management SNCO of the Year, Master Sgt. Edrick Garces said it takes more than one person to accomplish the mission.

"I was excited, but I don't think that one necessarily has to set him or herself apart for winning any award, said Sergeant Garces. "We all understand that it takes more than one person to accomplish the mission - I just happen to be the benefactor."

Not only did the Sergeant Garces serve as an interim first sergeant, resolving 35 critical issues in six weeks for a squadron of 360, but he also oversaw 54 medical evaluation board cases, reducing the turnaround time from six to four weeks. The San Antonio native also directed 247 routine and 22 urgent aeromedical evacuations; revamped central records reviews, increasing efficiency to 35 percent; and instructed 8,000 patients on patient privacy duties and enforced the medical group training program - rates went from 35 to 76 percent.

"Taking care of the mission and the people who accomplish the mission are all important aspects in achieving this major award," said the 22-year veteran. "For those who gave me the opportunity and sent in my package, I'm very grateful."

Holly Wiley said she was stunned when she found out that she had won the Outstanding Health Plan Management Civilian of the Year.

"I was shocked and ecstatic," said Mrs. Wiley. The Oklahoma native said she wasn't sure what made her stand out. "Maybe it was my dedication to change or improve outdated processes," she said.

Mrs. Wiley designed seven dental and obstetrics and gynecology report templates, ensuring correct reports the first time saving 22 hours a month. She dedicated more than 60 hours to complete radiology reports, purging one week of backlogs and ensuring on-the-spot diagnoses. The three-year DoD civilian also fixed the tumor registry program, screening and tagging 10 years of records; quality checked 200 incomplete record reports, performing critical spot checks and boosting processing time by 40 percent.

"I honestly didn't think that I would win because I was competing on the Air Force level," said Mrs. Wiley. "That is a lot of competition."

The final Air Force-level award winner was Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Kahapea who earned the Outstanding Enlisted Health Services Management SNCO of the Year.

He leads 121 personnel and supports 360 medical technicians and has won numerous awards. During the year, he served as the medical group superintendent for 10-weeks.

"I was surprised since the competition is very tough," said the Hawaii native. "I was awed because I was chosen as the No. 1 SNCO for career field. I was humbled because it's due to my fellow squadron member's hard work that I won this award."

Some his accomplishments include making sure his squadron members received monthly recognition for their hard work; getting more of his Airmen qualified as physical training leaders, which helped his Airmen pass the test, and decreased unsatisfactory results by 75 percent in six months; inspecting and fixing the noncombatant evacuation operation; proactively realigning and resolving 70 unit tasking codes and disaster teams mismatched assignments; and helping acquire two freezers to store 1,800 blood units.

"This is the pinnacle of my career and I am truly humbled by winning this award," said Sergeant Kahapea, who had never competed for the award. "My fellow squadron members and medical group leadership helped me attain my goals. If not for them, I would not have had the success I've had, here and throughout my career."