JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- A host of 673d Medical Group units and personnel were recognized as the 2017 Pacific Air Forces Medical Service Award Winners, representing the best in the command.
“Wow, what an awesome job competing against all the military treatment facilities, units and medics across PACAF,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Tambra Yates, 673d MDG commander. “These awards highlight the top-notch, patient-centered work each and every one of you delivers on a daily basis. I am so proud of all of you.”
Team Awards:
* USAF Surgeon General Hospital of the Year: 673rd Medical Group
* USAF Large Medical Logistics Team of the Year: 673rd Medical Support Squadron, Medical Logistics Flight
* USAF Resource Management Team of the Year: 673rd Medical Support Squadron, Resource Management/Personnel & Administration Flight
* USAF Medical Information Services Team of the Year: 673 Medical Support Squadron, Medical Information Services Flight
Individual Awards:
* USAF Biomedical Clinician Category II FGO of the Year: Maj. Lloyd Scharfenstine, 673rd Surgical Operations Squadron
* USAF Biomedical Equipment Repair NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Brandon Dyer, 673rd Medical Support Squadron
* USAF Diet Therapy NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Travis McAdams, 673rd Medical Support Squadron
* USAF Cardiopulmonary Laboratory Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Hannah MacDonald, 673rd Medical Operations Squadron
* USAF Cardiopulmonary Laboratory NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. John Susalla, 673rd Medical Operations Squadron
* USAF Physical Medicine Airman of the Year: Senior Airman James Glenn, 673rd Medical Operations Squadron
* USAF Physical Medicine NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. De Pham, 673rd Medical Operations Squadron
* USAF Surgical Service NCO of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Joshua Brown, 673rd Surgical Operations Squadron
* USAF Pharmacy Technician Airman of the Year: Airman 1st Class Desirae Penley, 673rd Medical Support Squadron
* USAF Diagnostic Imaging Airman of the Year: Staff Sgt. Michael Keely, Jr., 673rd Surgical Operations Squadron
* USAF Medical Service SNCO Leadership Award: Senior Master Sgt. Levi Robertson, 673rd Medical Support Squadron
* USAF Civilian Nurse of the Year: Mr. Patrick O'Neill, 673rd Medical Group
After their excellent showing at the command level, the units and individuals competed at the Air Force level, where one of the units and two of the individuals were selected as the best in the service in their respective specialties.
These Airmen reflect the extraordinary quality of Air Force medics, and their accomplishments exemplified expertise, leadership and commitment across the full breadth of support they provide to the Air Force mission and the joint team, said the Air Force Surgeon General.
The 673d Medical Support Squadron medical logistics flight was named U.S. Air Force Large Medical Logistics Team of the Year.
Staff Sgt. Travis McAdams, 673rd Medical Support Squadron, was named U.S. Air Force Diet Therapy NCO of the Year and Staff Sgt. Michael Keely, Jr., 673rd Surgical Operations Squadron, was named U.S. Air Force Diagnostic Imaging Airman of the Year.
“Earning this award is absolutely a team effort,” Keely said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the flight leadership and dedication to patient care my coworkers demonstrate each and every day.
“I think the most important thing for anyone to remember is that every day is a new opportunity. Whether yesterday was the worst day of your life or the best day. Tomorrow is a new day. A quote that resonates with me, and I continue to use it to motivate myself comes from J.J. Watt, Houston Texans defensive end. He said, ‘success is never owned, it's leased, and rent is due every day.’ A positive attitude and strong work ethic will get you far in life.”
For a complete listing of the Air Force Medical Service 2017 Award Winners, visit
http://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/Media-Center/Display/Article/1442792/air-force-medical-service-2017-award-winners-announced/.