Motivation + innovation + attitude = success

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jarad A. Denton
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The 28th Medical Group welcomed Air Combat Command's command surgeon, Col. Kory Cornum, to Ellsworth, Feb. 25.

Colonel Cornum visited Ellsworth in order to recognize the 28 MDG's top performers with ACC level medical awards.

"Seeing the great Airmen we have do amazing things every day and make them seem ordinary is truly a fantastic experience," he said.

By presenting the awards, Colonel Cornum said he hoped others would follow the winners' example and push themselves to achieve success.

"I think success is a combination of motivation, innovation and attitude," he said.

Colonel Cornum praised the 28 MDG for their work in promoting the family initiatives developed in conjunction with the Year of the Air Force Family program.

"The 28 MDG is doing great things," he said. "They helped unveil the new family health initiative for ACC, which serves as a model for the entire Air Force."

The Airmen of the 28 MDG were also given credit for their outstanding performance while facing new challenges every day.

"The only constant we have is change," Colonel Cornum said. "Adaptability is absolutely necessary in order to survive in this profession."

Col. Robert Ritter, 28 MDG commander, also praised the Airmen under his command for performing admirably.

"I'm constantly impressed with the quality of work I see by the Airmen in our clinic," Colonel Ritter said. "It makes me so proud to work with some of the most outstanding Airmen in the Air Force here at the 28 MDG."

The 2009 ACC-level Air Force medical service award winners from the 28 MDG are:

Senior Airman Eric Acton
ACC Medical Service Airman of the Year

Airman Acton returned fire, while deployed, defending injured Afghan National Police; he dismounted from a vehicle under attack and rendered aid to three policemen, while team returned fire, which resulted in all lives in danger being saved. His actions led to the Air Force Combat Action Medal award.

Senior Airman Ashley Barlow
Health Plan Management Airman of the Year

Airman Barlow expertly managed a $160,000 travel budget, audited more than 140 vouchers and cut unjust expenses by 10 percent, which saved the Air Force $80,000.

1st Lt. Jason Carter
ACC Group Practice Manager of the Year

Lieutenant Carter commanded phenomenal referral management cost containment programs, which resulted in 14,000 consults reviewed, saving the Air Force $472,000.

Staff Sgt. Nomer Evangelista
ACC Pharmacy Technician NCO of the Year

Sergeant Evangelista championed a 3rd party collections program that resulted in a form intake increase of 24 percent and recaptured $603,000, beating the fiscal year goal by 30 percent.

Carol McNulty
ACC Civilian of the Year - Optometry

Mrs. McNulty earned the patient satisfaction champion award with a 100 percent rating. She also supported 803 Airmen tasked for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom by procuring the glasses and inserts that guaranteed 100 percent vision readiness for all deployed Airmen.

Tech. Sgt. Erlinda Schommer
ACC Health Plan Management NCO of the Year

Sergeant Schommer oversaw a medical board program which achieved a "fast-track" process, as well as directed 125 cases and increasing the on-time rate by 17 percent.

Members of the 28 MDG Thunderbirds team also took home the ACC Family Health
Initiative Team of the Year award. The Thunderbirds team members are:

Capt William Shaw
Physician Assistant

1st Lt. Stephen Vela
Physician Assistant

Beth Hunt
Registered Nurse

Senior Airman Eric Acton
Team Leader

Airman Eric Judd
Medical Technician

Amie Rose
Licensed Vocational Nurse

Cindy Haraldson
Licensed Vocational Nurse