28th Medical Group receives AF, ACC awards

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Kasey Zickmund
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Servicemembers from the 28th Medical Group received both Air Force and Air Combat Command level awards for accomplishments during 2008.

The awards recognize Ellsworth healthcare providers in a range of specialties, ranks, and accomplishments; many of whom spearheaded important programs, changes in their sections and volunteered their time to the local community.

"It gives me a great sense of pride to work with these skilled folks," said Lt. Col. David Roll, 28th Medical Operations Squadron commander.

Colonel Roll said teamwork is paramount in any military organization, and the professionals comprising the medical operations squadron were key factors to success.
"I'm very proud of these individuals and the squadron as a whole," Colonel Roll said. "It took the entire team to meet the challenge at such a high level of competition."

The 28th Medical Support Squadron also received awards.

"The 28th Medical Support Squadron has many world-class professionals that take great pride in our quality healthcare and these awards vindicate this and really represent the great work of the entire medical group," said Lt. Col. Jon Mohatt, 28 MDSS commander. "We have a wonderful team and I can't thank them enough for what they do each and every day."

The 28 MDG provides care for more than 15,000 local beneficiaries in the Rapid City and Black Hills area.

The 2008 award winners at AF and ACC levels are:

Outstanding Field Grade Base Bioenvironmental Engineer of the Year
Maj. Stephen Boglarski, 28 MDOS

Major Boglarski, Bioenvironmental and Public Health flight commander, led the flight to an operational readiness inspection superior team award. When supporting Hurricane Ike relief in Texas, he advised the 1st Air Force commander on aerial pesticide spraying, which enabled post-hurricane control and disease prevention. Major Boglarski aided more than 120 families on locating veteran's gravesites during a Memorial Day observances.

USAF Col. Donald D. Dunton Ophthalmic Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Thomas Heinen, 28 MDOS

Airman Heinen relocated the clinic's optometry screening room to increase patient flow and confidentiality while also decreasing screening time by 20 percent. He also devoted more than 36 hours to Big Brothers and Big Sisters and remains an active member of this program. Airman Heinen escorted 28th Bomb Wing leadership to B-1B Lancer memorial site and laid a wreath in remembrance of the fallen aircrew of Fury 2 near Montana and Wyoming state lines. He also aided a humanitarian mission to Nicaragua by sorting and cleaning more than 2,500 donated glasses.

The 2008 ACC Annual Award winners from the 28 MDOS are:

Company Grade Optometrist of the Year
Maj. Michael Bogaard, 28 MDOS

Major Bogaard examined more than 900 patients in nine days and corrected vision problems. His efforts ensured vision readiness for more than 1,033 deployers. He also served on a medical readiness training exercise to Nicaragua and delivered more than 2,500 donated glasses to underprivileged.

Ophthalmic NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Candace Thomason, 28 MDOS

Sergeant Thomason revitalized the Air Force Ballistic Eyewear Protection Program and demonstrated usage to deployers. She also aided a humanitarian mission to Nicaragua by sorting and checking more than 2,500 donated glasses.

The 2008 ACC Annual Award winners from the 28 MDSS are:

Clinical Laboratory Manager of the Year
Capt. Kasey Jackson, 28 MDSS

Captain Jackson improved lab services by decreasing turnaround time by 25 percent and outsourcing five in-house tests, saving the Department of Defense $10,000 and 200 man-hours. She also revitalized the infection control program and ensured all requirements for the new Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care standards were met.

Medical Readiness Senior NCO of the Year
Master Sgt. Michael Brathole, 28 MDSS

Sergeant Brathole was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his leadership of 84 medics during Exercise Joint Thunder. He also created a deployment briefing for 167 personnel, which increased the percentage of personnel trained from 60 percent to 96 percent.

Senior NCO Pharmacy Technician of the Year
Master Sgt. Jessica Nester, 28 MDSS

Sergeant Nester prepared more than 118,000 prescriptions for more than 15,000 beneficiaries with a 99 percent error-free rate, exceeding the national average of 97 percent. She also prepared 216 short-notice medical packs for aircrews.

Medical Readiness Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Hannah McGuire, 28 MDSS

Airman McGuire planned the medical group's involvement in the annual S.D. National Guard's Golden Coyote exercise, where Airmen received convoy, land navigation and self-aid and buddy care training and included response personnel from 27 states and six countries. She also participated in more than 40 Ellsworth Honor Guard events.

Biomedical Maintenance Airman of the Year
Airman 1st Class Zachary Elwood, 28 MDSS

Airman Elwood installed a dental engine system valued at more than $74,000, improving the quality of care for beneficiaries. He also volunteered more than 40 hours with the Pennington County Search and Rescue team.