McConnell's 22nd MDG earns seven Air Force-level awards Published Feb. 23, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- After recently winning 21 Air Mobility Command Medical Excellence Awards, the 22nd Medical Group was honored again as they brought home seven Air Force-level awards. The seven awards recognize the "best of the best" Airmen and teams in the medical world, facts show. The awards are given annually to Airmen throughout the Air Force. "We started several years ago to create a culture of excellence and an awards program to encourage creativity and pride in what we do as medics and Airmen," said Col. Alan Reid, 22nd Medical Group commander. "We try to ensure that each Airman understands his or her role in the Air Force mission and that, I believe, has led to our success." The group collected five individual awards and two team awards. The two team awards were Team Aerospace award and Outstanding Medical Logistics Small Activity Account of the Year for 2010. "We are obviously thrilled for the recognition," said Col. Jeffrey Freeland, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander. "However, this was truly a team effort with our six flights coming together to make the 22nd Air Refueling Wing shine." During fiscal year 2010, the 22nd MDG served approximately 74,550 patients and along the line the medical logistics flight had a hand in providing service to all those patients. "Winning Account of the Year was a goal we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year, but we all knew that it was going to be the small things such as dedication and commitment that would help us achieve it," said Master Sgt. Terri Roland, 22nd Medical Support Squadron Medical Logistics chief. According to the winning teams and individuals, they are appreciative of the awards and support, but they hope to continue to strive for "excellence in all we do." "I am extremely excited because I have never won an award this high, but I couldn't do it without the support of my flight and leadership," said Staff Sgt. Bethany Sterling, 22nd MDG U.S. Air Force Colonel Cleveland L. Parker NCO Award winner. The following is a list of the five individual award winners. Health Benefits Advisor of the Year Ms. Diana Diaz Outstanding Medical Material Airman of the Year Senior Airman Tina Girdano Outstanding Enlisted Health Services Management Airman of Year Senior Airman Theresa Scherquist U.S. Air Force Colonel Cleveland L. Parker NCO Award, Public Health Staff Sgt. Bethany Sterling Chief Master Sgt. Lewis W. Dunlap Outstanding Airman Award, Mental Health Senior Airman Kevin Yeates