FALLS CHURCH, Virginia –
The Air Force Surgeon General is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Air Force Medical Service Annual Awards. The awards include both individual and team awards. There are 10 recipients from Joint Base San Antonio.
The nominations submitted reflect the extraordinary quality of Air Force medics. The accomplishments of those recognized demonstrate expertise, leadership, and commitment across the full breadth of the mission support we provide to the Air Force and Space Force. We should also acknowledge the hard work and support of Wingmen, fellow medical professionals, at every level, who enabled success.
Please join us in congratulating all award recipients - they represent the many outstanding Air Force medical professionals emulating the AFMS mission: “To deliver Trusted Care…anytime, anywhere.”
Individual Awards:
USAF Health Care Administrator of the Year - Company Grade Category
Capt. Ria Grace A. Gozon-Marquez
86th Medical Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Medical Service Corps Commitment to Service Award
Lt. Col. Justin L. Wolthuizen
HQ AFPC/DPMND, JBSA-Randolph, Texas, AFPC
USAF Medical Service Corps Civilian of the Year
Shanelle K. Malnar
USAFE/SGX, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Biomedical Clinician of the Year - Company Grade Category
Maj. Matthew J. Mazick
82 OMRS/SGXH, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, AETC
USAF Biomedical Clinician of the Year - Field Grade Category
Maj. Brandon O. Wielert
382 TRS/TXXY, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, AETC
USAF Biomedical Specialist of the Year - Company Grade Category
Capt. Tristan P. Eddy
42 HCOS/SGGD, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, AETC
USAF Biomedical Specialist of the Year - Field Grade Category
Lt. Col. William C. Matthews
75 OMRS/SGXB, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, AFMC
USAF Biomedical Clinician Civilian of the Year
Amy L. Schrupp
28 OMRS/SGXD, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, AFGSC
USAF Biomedical Specialist Civilian of the Year
Dr. Denise L. Kramer
711 HPW/USAFSAM, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFMC
USAF Biomedical Sciences Corps Educator of the Year
Capt. Leigh M. Durden
711 HPW/USAFSAM, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFMC
USAF Clinical Dentist of the Year
Capt. Anna M. Captain
20 MDG/SGXD, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, ACC
USAF Dental Educator of the Year
Lt. Col. Jared D. Mason
Lackland Dental Training Squadron, JBSA-Lackland, Texas, AETC
USAF Health Services Management Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Herold Orphee
673 MDSS/SGSM, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, PACAF
USAF Health Services Management NCO of the Year
Staff Sgt. Jeremy P. Shires
937 Training Support Squadron, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, AETC
USAF Medical Materiel Airman of the Year
Airman 1st Class Za’Nyla A. Robinson
45 HCOS/SGSM, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, AFMC
USAF Medical Materiel NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt Jem V. Thipphakesone
48 MDSS/SGSM, RAF Lakenheath, UK, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Biomedical Equipment Technician Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Tytus A. Yarbrough
673 MDSS/SGSM, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, PACAF
USAF Biomedical Equipment Technician NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Gabriel Ayala-Martinez
AFSOC-GSU, Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, AFSOC
USAF Base Bioenvironmental Engineering Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Bamowo O. Okunowo
1 SOMDG, Hurlburt Field, Florida, AFSOC
USAF Base Bioenvironmental Engineering NCO of the Year
Staff Sgt. Nicholas S. Thornton
55 OMRS/SGXB, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, ACC
USAF Mental Health Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Benito Sanchez De La Rosa
81 OMRS/SGPW, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, AETC
USAF Mental Health NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Randi L. Sologaistoa
Lackland Trainee Health Squadron, JBSA-Lackland, Texas, AETC
USAF Diet Therapy Airman of the Year
Airman 1st Class AriOnna M. Lowe
88 DTS/SGQD, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFMC
USAF Diet Therapy NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Latrice D. Boyd
88 DTS/SGQD, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFMC
USAF Public Health Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Sandra Velasquez Castro
377 OMRS/SGXM, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, AFGSC
USAF Public Health NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Milyka L. Moses
633 OMRS/SGXS, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, ACC
USAF Respiratory Care Practitioner Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Saleema Bano
FSH MDOS/SG05L, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, AETC
USAF Respiratory Care Practitioner NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Derrick Pitchford
60 HCOS/SGGH, Travis Air Force Base, California, AMC
USAF Physical Medicine Airman of the Year
Senior Airman DeVante J. King
375 OMRS/SGXY, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, AMC
USAF Physical Medicine NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Ryan A. Thomas
82 OMRS/SGXH, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, AETC
USAF Aerospace Medicine Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Deangelo Reinoso-Bunch
377 OMRS/SGXF, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, AFGSC
USAF Aerospace Medicine NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. David Dejarnette
36 MDG/SGGE, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, PACAF
USAF Surgical Service Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Vincent C. Grant II
673 SGCS/SGCS, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, PACAF
USAF Surgical Service NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Michael P. Hansen
FSH SGCS/SGCO, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, AETC
USAF Pharmacy Technician Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Briana L. Rubio
375 MDSS/SGSD, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, AMC
USAF Pharmacy Technician NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Scott J. Wadsworth
60 MDTS/SGQP, Travis Air Force Base, California, AMC
USAF Diagnostic Imaging Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Amber K. Lynn
60 MDTS/SGQQ, Travis Air Force Base, California, AMC
USAF Diagnostic Imaging NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Joshua R. Fleek
86 MDG, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Laboratory Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Jacob J. Ramirez
48 MDSS/SGSL, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Laboratory NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Noah D. Sermon
86 MDG, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Ophthalmic Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Felicia M. Sanchez
52 OMRS/SGXH, Spangdahlem Air Base, United Kingdom, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Ophthalmic NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Simon L. Arnold
10 SGCS/SGCO, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, USAFA
USAF Dental Airman of the Year
Senior Airman Madison N. Bentle
Bolling MDS, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, D.C., AFDW
USAF Dental NCO of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Hamila H. Burton
412 OMRS/SGXD, Edwards Air Force Base, California, AFMC
USAF SNCO Operational Medicine Excellence Award
Senior Master Sgt. Matthew R. Walsh
HAF/SG3, Falls Church, Virginia, Headquarters Air Force
USAF SNCO Organizational Management Excellence Award
Master Sgt. Emilio J. Martinez
8 OMRS/SGXP, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, PACAF
USAF SNCO Clinical Support Excellence Award
Master Sgt. Nance F. Pea
382 TRS/TXXYAG, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, AETC
USAF Medical Service SNCO Leadership Award
Master Sgt. Monica E. Hipsher
509 MDG/CCC, Whiteman Air Force Base, Montana, AFGSC
USAF Company Grade Physician of the Year
Capt. Erin K. O’Pry
49 HCOS/SGGP, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, AETC
USAF Field Grade Physician of the Year
Maj. Maggie C. Wertz
480 ISRW/SG, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, ACC
USAF Chief of Aerospace Medicine of the Year Award
Lt. Col. Ashley N. Franz
354 MDG/SGP, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, PACAF
USAF Chief of the Medical Staff of the Year
Lt. Col. Julie A. Griffith
20 MDG/SGH, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, ACC
USAF Academic Physician of the Year Award
Lt. Col. Matthew K. Hawks
Andrews HCOS/SGGF, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, AFDW
USAF Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award – Company Grade Nurse of the Year
Capt. MiaLisa G. Mossay
72 HCOS/SGGP, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, AFMC
USAF Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award – Field Grade Nurse of the Year
Maj. Nicole Grow
48 SGCS/SGCM, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Privileged Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year – Company Grade Category
Capt. Brittany King
18 OMRS/SGXP, Kadena Air Base, Japan, PACAF
USAF Privileged Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year – Field Grade Category
Maj. Naomi C. Torrance
20 MDG/SGGP, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, ACC
USAF Civilian Nurse of the Year
Deedra Nelson
75 OMRS/SGXW, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, AFMC
USAF Outstanding Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award
Lt. Col. Jennifer L. Varney
22 HCOS/CC, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, AMC
USAF Outstanding Achievement in Nursing Force Development Award
Maj. Savannah A. Jumpp
86 MDG, Ramstein AB, Germany, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Nursing Educator of the Year
Maj. Christy Anne R. Mitchell
USUHS, Bethesda, Maryland, AFELM MED DOD
USAF Medical Service Civilian Performance Excellence Award
Latemia Thomas
LAK MDOS/SGOF, JBSA-Lackland, Texas, AETC
USAF Medical Service Civilian Organizational Leadership Award
Faith R. Yingling
USAFSAM/FEB, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, AFMC
USAF Medical Service Civilian Enterprise Leadership Excellence Award
Kimberly Hartmann
AFMEDCOM/A4/10M, Fort Detrick, Maryland, AFMEDCOM
USAF Outstanding Achievement in Operational Research Award
Maj. Anna R. Prendergast
99 MDG/SGEO, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, ACC
USAF Outstanding Personnel Reliability Assurance Program Competent Medical Authority (CMA) of the Year
Maj. Christy-Lynne M. McGinnis
HQ AFPC/DPMON, JBSA-Randolph, Texas, AFPC
USAF Outstanding Personnel Reliability Assurance Program MTF Monitor/Technician of the Year
Staff Sgt. Alyssa N. McDermott
52 OMRS/SGXF, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, USAFE-AFAF
Team Awards:
USAF Medical Logistics Team of the Year
48 MDSS/SGSM, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Resource Management Team of the Year
45 MDG/SGGR, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, AFMC
USAF Medical Information Services Team of the Year
35 MDSS/SGST, Misawa Air Base, Japan, PACAF
USAF Health Plan Management Team of the Year
8 HCOS/SGGT, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, PACAF
USAF Medical Readiness Team of the Year
USAFE/SGX, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Medical Service Corps Team of the Year
96 MDG/SGA, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, AFMC
USAF Biomedical Sciences Corps Team of the Year
75 OMRS/SGXB, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, AFMC
USAF Small Dental Clinic of the Year
8 OMRS/SGXD, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, PACAF
USAF Medium Dental Clinic of the Year
56 MDG/SGXD, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, AETC
USAF Large Dental Clinic of the Year
18 DS/SGD, Kadena Air Base, Japan, PACAF
USAF Outstanding Personnel Reliability Assurance Program Team of the Year
509 OMRS/SGXF, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, AFGSC
USAF Outstanding Operational Team of the Year
36 MDG/SGGM, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, PACAF
USAF Best AE Squadron Patient Safety Program
86 Aeromedical Evacuation Sq/AECM, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, USAFE-AFAF
USAF Surgeon General Hospital of the Year
99 MDG, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, ACC
USAF Surgeon General Clinic of the Year
51 MDG, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, PACAF
USAF International Health Operations Team Excellence
HQ PACAF/SGX, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, PACAF