Ramstein's 435th MDG Maintains Exceptional Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amber Bressler
  • 435th Air Base Wing, Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Four Airmen from the 435th Medical Group and the TRICARE Operations Patient and Administration office received Air Force Medical Service Awards recently. The purpose of the awards program is to highlight individuals and teams whose outstanding actions improve the delivery of health care and contribute to expeditionary medical operations for our Air Force personnel worldwide.

Maj. John Kim, 435th Aerospace Medicine Squadron optometry flight commander, won the U.S. Air Force Colonel Floyd M. Morris Field Grade Officer Optometrist of the Year award, which recognizes sustained superior job performance, innovative operations, and exceptional team work.

"It's a great feeling to be recognized by your fellow peers," said Maj. Kim. "I honestly feel we have the best optometry clinic in the Air Force, the 'Dream Team.'" 

Capt. Philip Bossart, 435th Medical Squadron Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, received the U.S. Air Force Clinical Laboratory Manager of the Year award. He received this award while piloting the only Armed Services Blood Bank Center in Europe from August 2006 to July 2008. One of many accomplishments from Captain Bossart's team is that they achieved a new record of 6,200 good blood products collected which values a total of $1.6 million. 

"I felt humbled, shocked and honored to receive this award," said Captain Bossart. "I had great leadership support and a stellar team consisting of Air Force, Army, Navy, and Civilians." 

Senior Airman Kevin Phone, 435th Medical Support Squadron biomedical technician, was awarded the Global Health Airman of the Year. According to Master Sgt. Spencer Shelmire, 60th Medical Support Squadron, Travis Air Base, CA, Airman Phone quickly became the go-to person for complex equipment related problems, and if he didn't know the answer he would find the correct solution. Sergeant Shelmire was the non-commissioned officer in charge at Airman Phone's last duty station. 

"Senior Airman Phone is a dedicated individual who cares about his fellow Airmen and does not need to prove that he is the best, his results speak for itself," said Sergeant Shelmire. "He will be an outstanding asset to any organization that he is assigned to." 

Master Sgt. Quyen Ngo, 435th MDSS, received the Outstanding Biomedical Equipment Repair Senior NCO of the Year award. Sergeant Ngo's lead of his equipment repair team resulted in 8,400 work orders completed with only 75 percent of their manning. 

Sergeant Ngo and his team sent daily shipments to and from the area of responsibility to keep the medical teams stocked with critically needed equipment in treatment of our wounded warriors whose survival rate of 98 percent is the highest in the history of wars, according to Col. Angela Thompson, 435th Medical Group commander. 

Last but not least, the TOPA office team received the Outstanding Health Plan Management Team award. 

"We manage the healthcare for the largest beneficiary population in USAFE and have a tremendous patient movement mission that covers geographically separated units in 93 countries," said Capt. Ryan Yates, 435th Medical Support Squadron TOPA flight commander. "We have so many fantastic and bright performers and every one contributed to the awards we've won." 

These awards show that good deeds do not go unnoticed, and at the same time displays how important teamwork is in the U.S. Air Force. 

"My first thought about the team of professionals I work with is immense pride," said Colonel Thompson. "It is easy to accomplish the mission assigned to me as a commander when I have superior performers like these that have been recognized by their supervisors and the Air Force as being the absolute best in their field of work."