AFSC 4N1X1
Surgical Services
Awards
See also: Air Force Surgeon (General) Awards
Surgical Services Fligth Commander
Major Stephany K Burkhalter distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Surgical Services Fligth Commander, 39th Medical Operations Squadron, 39th Medical Group, 39th Air Base Wing, Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. During this period, Major Burkhalter skillfully managed 12 personnel in five sections and oversaw six thousand patient appointments, aiding in the group's number one patient satisfaction rating in United States Air Forces in Europe. Additionally, Major Burkhalter's clinic management skills averted 95,000 dollars in medical evacuation costs by treating over 50 deployed active duty members on site in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Moreover, she implemented the first ever running clinic, reducing overuse injury referrals by fifty percent and improving clinic access to care by twenty percent. Further, as the Biomedical Science Corp Executive, she mentored 13 Biomedical Science officers and led seven mentoring events, garnering one Major Command and six Group level award winners. Finally, Major Burkhalter's exceptional leadership and attention to detail as the deputy squadron commander were crucial to the medical group being awarded the 2014 Air Force Best Clinic of the year and the 2015 United States Air Forces in Europe Surgeon General Best Clinic of the year. The distinctive accomplishments of Major Burkhalter credit upon herself, the 39th Medical Operations Squadron and the United States Air Force.
NCOIC, Podiatry
Staff Sergeant Emily Wilkinson distinguished herself by meritorious service while assigned to Lackland Surgical Operations Squadron, Lackland Medical Operations Group, 59th Medical Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Texas. During this period, Sergeant Wilkinson served as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Podiatry, where she managed four provider clinics, provided care to five thousand patients in the Air Force's largest market, which was key to the flight's Squadron Team of the Quarter Award. Additionally, as Agency Program Coordinator, she obtained Government Travel cards for 20 members, identified and corrected discrepencies on nine accounts, and supported 10 deployers, ensuring 100 percent compliance with the program. Furthermore, Sergeant Wilkinson provided 25 hours of special needs counseling, and organized and delivered 56 meals to seven families undergoing hardship. Finally, after a three month platelet rich plasma work stoppage, she provided equipment training, treated 387 patients, and generated 1.2 million dollars for the orthopedic injection clinic. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Wilkinson reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.
Surgical Services Element Chief
Captain Jennifer Y. Gesmundo distinguished herself by meritorious service as a Surgical Services Element Chief, 51st Healthcare Operations Squadron, 51st Medical Group, 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. During this period, Captain Gesmundo led a 17-member surgical element and the Air Force's sole surgical service in Korea supporting the United States Air Force's most forward fighter wing in support of seven Air Force and 26 tenant units to safeguard 56,000 joint beneficiaries, which was vital to the group's 2022 Joint Commission accreditation. Additionally, Captain Gesmundo managed around the clock staff call, scheduled and coordinated 718 surgical cases, supported 3.6K clinic visits and 8.7K on-call hours across three Department of Defense hospitals, anchoring Joint service partnership with Army and 11 Host Nation facilities, and increasing access to care by 12 percent. Furthermore, Captain Gesmundo coordinated two surgery renovation projects and optimized space utilization for four offices, showcasing plans to the Defense Health Agency Director. Finally, Captain Gesmundo secured the Department of Defense benchmark as number one of 46 hospitals, leading Defense Health Agency's safety survey launch by analyzing 11 critical data sets. The distinctive accomplishments of Captain Gesmundo reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.
Surgical Services Technician
Airman First Class Christopher T. Santin distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Surgical Services Technician, 48th Surgical Operations Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, England. During this period, Airman Santin scrubbed 346 surgical cases and procedures, assisting sixteen surgeons in five surgical specialties. Additionally, he assisted with the innoculation of more than one thousand RAF Mildenhall active duty and civilian personnel with the H1N1 vaccination, contributing to the award of the USAFE CINC Installation Excellence Award. Finally, Airman Santin's outstanding professional skill and knowledge aided immeasurably while evaluating and streamlining eight war readiness assemblages, ensuring four million dollars in medical assests were ready to be deployed. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Santin reflect credit upon himself, the 48th Surgical Operations Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Surgical Services Technician
Senior Airman Marquita Johnson distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Surgical Services Technician, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron, 96th Medical Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In this important assignment, Airman Johnson served as acting NCOIC of Central Sterile Supply for over six months. In this capacity, she demonstrated mature and effective leadership for five Airmen while simultaneously meeting her responsibilities as a Surgical Services Technician. She conducted a variety of minor surgical procedures, established sterile fields, and sutured wounds for 17 patients with zero complications. In addition, she single handedly researched vital surgical instrumentation pans worth over ten thousand dollars, drastically improving surgical care flexibility. Finally, Airman Johnson developed a Central Sterile Supply workload tracker, capturing 180 additional man hours and justifying a new operating room technician position and improving patient care. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Johnson reflect credit upon herself, the 96th Surgical Operations Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Surgical Services Technician
Staff Sergeant James M Michaels distinguished himself by meritorious service while serving as Surgical Services Technician, 332nd Joint Medical Clinic, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Joint Base Balad, Iraq. During this period, Sergeant Michaels assisted in one hundred and ten surgical procedures, totaling 420 hours in Iraq's largest combat zone operating room, directly contributing to an unparalleled ninety six percent United States military survival rate. Additionally, as clinic supply custodian, he managed the availability of twelve hundred medical line items valued in excess of ten million dollars, enabling 488 cases to be accomplished. Further, Sergeant Michaels coordinated the transfer of ten thousand dollars to Baghram's theater hospital in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, contributing to medical readiness. Finally, Sergeant Michaels' efforts were recognized by the award of the Medical Group's Tuskegee Airman of the Month. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Michaels reflect credit upon himself, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, and the United States Air Force.
Surgical Services Element Chief
Major Elissa A Evans distinguished herself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Surgical Services Element Chief, 374th Surgical Operations Squadron, 374th Medical Group, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan. During this period, Major Evans managed operating room services, oversaw the care of over 1,000 surgical patients, and facilitated more than 300,000 dollars in related value units. In addition, as operating room supply custodian, she directed Air Mobility Command's largest surgical and central processing department supply accounts, managing seven million dollars in group assests, increasing surgical capabilities by fifteen percent. Moreover, she organized, taught, and certified 129 members in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, saving the Group more than 450,000 dollars in Temporary Duty expenses. Finally, as the only nurse speaker at a multinational conference, she lectured thirty five Japanese medical professionals on the United States' medical deployment capabilities. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major Evans reflect great credit upon herself, the 374th Surgical Operations Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Medical Technician Journeyman
Senior Airman Hylarie A. Boscan distinguished herself by meritorious service as Medical Technician Journeyman while assigned to the Surgery Center, 60th Medical Group, Travis Air Force Base, California. During this period, Airman Boscan served as a medical technician caring for preoperative and postoperative patients in Air Mobility Command's largest Anesthesia Flight supporting 276,000 beneficiaries. She governed unit Point of Care Testing program, auditing 175 records, revising specimen tests and order system, cutting procedure delay by 95% and laboratory wait by two hours. Additionally, serving as an Aerospace Medical Service Assistant Phase II preceptor, she taught 165 hands-on clinic hours, verifying 82 core tasks while priming 24 medics for 75th MTF's Operational Air Force. Finally, while overseeing Ambulatory procedure unit and Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Airman Boscan led 21 personnel and 17 surgical specialties. Her efforts earned American college of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program top 10% outcomes for complex procedures. The distinctive accomplishments of Senior Airman Boscan while serving her country reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.
Surgical Services Technician
Senior Airman Teresa K Booker distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Surgical Services Technician, 655th Forward Surgical Team, Forward Operating Base Ghazni, Afghanistan. During this period, Airman Booker was a vital member of the Air Force's first Forward Surgical Team. She amplified local medical assets by assisting with the care of 400 trauma and 300 outpatient local nationals and coalition forces. Additionally, she provided effective care during 15 mass casualities, 80 hours of surgical care, and during Intensive Care Unit treatment of critical trauma patients. Her attention to detail facilitated continuity of care as she assisted with the medevac of 180 patients to role III care. Further, Airman Booker assisted with the prescreening 123 military members to support eight whole blood drives, two of which occured during indirect fire, increasing the emergency supply of blood and medical readiness. Finally, Airman Booker performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a pulseless child who had suffered a severe head injury, stabilizing the patient for transport to role III care. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Booker reflect credit upon herself, the 655th Forward Surgical Team, and the United States Air Force.
Commander, Surgical Operations Squadron
Lieutenant Colonel George N. Lane distinguished himself by meritorious service as Commander, 35th Surgical Operations Squadron, 35th Medical Group, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan. During this period, Colonel Lane directed 64 active duty members and six civilian personnel, in support of 20,000 appointments, 240 births, 270 surgeries and 518 admissions valued at two million dollars per year. Additionally, he managed the Western Pacific's number one rated Diagnostic Imaging service which completed more than 5,500 consults retaining 2,600,000 dollars in referral expenses. Further, Colonel Lane supervised the Surgical Operations Squadron's first Medical Exercise, integrating Air Force and Army personnel and completing 21 surgical cases helping to align the Air Force's mission while eliminating aeromedical evacuations. Finally, he guided the first Pacific Air Force Small Hospital Clinical Skills Enhancement Program initiative, hosting five senior mentors from larger treatment facilities which facilitated additional training opportunities, fortifying medical readiness capabilities. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Lane reflect credit upon himself, the 35th Medical Group and the United States Air Force.
Clinical Nurse, Perianesthesia
First Lieutenant Jasmine M Avelar distinguished herself by outstanding achievement as Clinical Nurse, Perianesthesia, 779th Surgical Operations Squadron, 779th Medical Group, 79th Medical Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. During this period, Lieutenant Avelar's outstanding professional skill, knowledge and leadership contributed to the exemplary care of more than 120 same day surgical cases per month. A stellar care giver, she translated vital medical information for Russian speaking patients using clear articulation to meet health care needs. Additionally, Lieutenant Avelar was selected twice by the Chief of the Medical Staff and the Squadron Medical Group Commander for the Family Liaison Officer position, supporting members and their families during the hospitalization, easing their hardship and assisting with navigating the benefits system. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant Avelar reflect credit upon herself, the 779th Surgical Operations Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Course Supervisor, Surgical Services Apprentice Course
Technical Sergeant Samantha R Henderson distinguished herself by meritorious service while serving as Course Supervisor, Surgical Services Apprentice Course, 383d Training Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. During this period, the outstanding professionalism, leadership, and dedication displayed by Technical Sergeant Henderson resulted in major contributions to the quality and success of the Air Force's Surgical Services Apprentice Course. Sergeant Henderson amassed over 2700 podium hours and graduated more than 300 students, earning the coveted recognition as Master Instructor, awarded to less than 20 percent of instructors. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Henderson reflect credit upon herself, the 383d Training Squadron and the United States Air Force.
Internest, Internal Medicine Flight
Captain Christopher A Santiago distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service to the United States as Internest, Internal Medicine Flight, 633d Medical Operations Squadron, 633d Air Base Wing, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. During this period, as Langley hospital's Intermediate Care Ward Medical Director, Captain Santiago oversaw the care of 356 critically ill patients, 13 physicians, and 23 staff members and was responsible for capturing 2.5 million dollars of health care revenue. In addition, Captain Santiago deployed to Air Force Theater Hospital Balad where he was key to the admission, stabilizaton, and survival of over 250 wartime casualties. While deployed, he intervened to save the lives of over 50 patients by performing bedside emergency surgical procedures that stabilized life threatening conditions, contributing to Balad hospital's 95 percent survival rate. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Captain Santiago reflect credit upon himself, the 633d Medical Operations Squadron, and the United States Air Force.
Surgical Technologist
Airman First Class Hannah M. Imel distinguished herself by Meritorious service as a Surgical Technologist, 959 Surgical Operations Squadron, 59th Medical Group, 59 Medical Wing, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas. During this period, Airman Imel supported BAMC Level 1 trauma center that covers 28 operating rooms, 297 providers, 12 surgical specialties and 55 clinics for the city of San Antonio. Additionally, she oversaw the Plastics team as the lead tech enhancing the knowledge of 43 technicians with a brand new fat grafting system which helped decrease surgical delays and strengthened DOPS capabilities. Finally, Airman Imel's outstanding performance contributed to her being personally selected by surgeons for their most critical cases and the flight earning the Squadron of the Quarter. The distinctive accomplishments of Airman Imel reflect credit upon herself and the United States Air Force.