Anesthesiologist Awards

Staff Anesthesiologist

Major William G. Morton distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Staff Anesthesiologist, 88th Surgical Operations Squadron, 88th Medical Group, 88th Air Base Wing, Wright Patterson Air Force Base. During this period, Major Morton demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the 88th Medical Group as the assistant Medical Director and Director of Regional Anesthesia. In addition, he deployed in support of Special Operations Task Force North West Africa as anesthesia lead on a Ground Surgical Team responsible for seven Special Operation Forces sites, ensuring emergency surgical capabilities to enable completion of joint missions in the AOR. Moreover, while deployed, he was a key member of the team's humanitarian outreach, routinely visiting host nation hospitals and supporting pediatric surgical services. Further, he served on several hospital wide committees including the Mortality Review Committee, Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Tissue and Transfusion Committee, and the Special Care Function Committee. Finally, Major Morton was an invaluable asset to the continuing medical education within the anesthesia flight, delivering several lectures and hands-on instruction to staff, as well as serving as adjunct faculty to 16 student nurse anesthetists during their clinical training at Wright Patterson Medical Center. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Morton reflect great credit upon himself, the 88th Medical Group and the United States Air Force.

Staff Anesthesiologist

Major Alice A. Leigh distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Staff Anesthesiologist, 59th Surgical Operations Squadron, 59th Medical Operations Group, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. During this period, Major Leigh deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the 655th Forward Surgical Team Chief of Anesthesiology and led trauma support for over 5,000 coalition members, resulting in a less than five-day return-to-duty rate, conserving the much needed fighting force. Additionally, she spearheaded over 70 surgeries, nine while under fire, facilitating over 20 life and limb saving procedures and successfully managing over 40 critically injured patients. Moreover, she performed life saving resuscitation including the transfusion of over 30 units of blood products for a soldier who suffered a partial amputation due to an enemy attack, directly contributing to the soldier's survival. Finally, in support of NATO operations, she enabled a 50-member Polish medical element by organizing and establishing anesthesia capabilities and support for their field hospital, allowing for 23 medical and trauma evaluations to be accomplished. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Leigh reflect great credit upon herself, the 59th Surgical Operations Squadron, and the United States Air Force.

Nurse Anesthetist

Lieutenant Colonel Francis Ratchet distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Nurse Anesthetist, 158th Medical Group, 158th Fighter Wing, Vermont Air National Guard. During this period, the professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Lieutenant Colonel Ratchet resulted in major contributions to the Vermont Air National guard Medical Group and the 158th Fighter Wing. She was selected by the Vermont State Air Surgeon to be the Nurse Anesthetist in support of three Vermont State Partnership Program missions to Senegal, Africa. During these joint medical readiness exercises, she trained 11 critical care physicians and delivered regional and general anesthesia to over 118 Senegalese citizens under austere operating room conditions. In addition, she volunteered to support the Vermont state and federal COVID-19 mission, while simultaneously meeting her civilian anesthesia shift requirements, and served over 13 months as Health Program Manager and Officer in Charge, dictating policy for 215 clinics throughout the state. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Colonel Ratchet reflect great credit upon herself, the 158th Medical Group and the United States Air Force.

Anesthesiologist

Major Clayne Benson distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Anesthesiologist, Detachment 1, 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron, 352nd Special Operations Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. During this period, Major Benson served as Anesthesiologist for the Special Operations Surgical Team and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. As one of only three dual-certified Anesthesia/Critical Care Physicians in the Air Force, he earned the respect of the intensive care unit staff for his broad clinical expertise and his extraordinary work ethic. He led eighteen Critical Care Air Transport and six Lung Team missions providing in-flight care to more than fifty critically injured combat warriors. Additionally, he was one of only four Air Force doctors trained in advanced lung rescue therapies and successfully placed five patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, including the first ever survivor of a traumatic pneumonectomy flown out of Afghanistan, making medical and military history. Moreover, Major Benson was also particularly dedicated to training SOF medics. He trained seven Pararescue Jumpers, five SEAL medics, and 12 Army SF medics in new field sedation protocols, simple and advanced airway maneuvers, and damage control resuscitation. As a result of his dedication to patient care and the mission, he was recognized as the 2010 AFSOC Clinical Field Grade Officer of the Year. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Benson reflect great credit upon himself, the 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron, and the United States Air Force.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Major Patricia M. Trotter distinguished herself by outstanding achievement while serving as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, 349th Medical Support Squadron, 349th Medical Group, Travis Air Force Base, California. During this period, as Bravo Flight commander, Major Trotter created an electronic tracking system to monitor training progress, which led to a 98 percent deployment ready flight, the highest rate in five years. In addition, after a thorough analysis, she reallocated medical assets, resulting in a cost savings of 8,000 dollars for the Medical Support Group while maintaining or exceeding medical service requirements. Further, she provided medical care for underprivileged peope in the Phillipines during a medical misson and provided anesthesia care for over 50 patients. Lastly, as an intregral leader and contributor, she submitted six flight quarterly award packages which resulted in winning all unit awards and a Wing award recognizing her members for their hard work and dedication. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Trotter reflect great credit upon herself, the 349th Medical Support Squadron and the United States Air Force.