5th MDG solidifies excellence in all

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 2011 Air Force Global Strike Command Medical Service awards ceremony took place here Dec. 16 where the 5th Medical Group was presented with 16 team and individual recognitions.

By earning team recognitions like the Outstanding Medical Readiness Team Award and individual acknowledgments like the Brigadier General Patricia C. Lewis Commitment to Service Award, the 5th MDG proved their worth in AFGSC.

"Last year we did very well and we've repeated that this year as well," said Col. Karlan B. Hoggan, 5th MDG commander. "For the categories that we participated in, we did very well and we took the lion's share of the Global Strike annual awards once again for this year."

The colonel said the awards were a great recognition of all the hard work they have been doing and will continue to do.

"We want to continue to have both individuals and teams recognized as performing with a level of excellence that demonstrates to the Minot Community what a great medical group they have here supporting them at this installation," said Hoggan.

He explained there is a real pride among the 5th MDG staff in operating the largest Personnel Reliability Program in the Department of Defense and delivering great service to beneficiaries every day.

"I think we are very fortunate to have a very strong team here made up of very hardworking and smart individuals who always work together as a team to accomplish their mission," Hoggan said.

The colonel praised the 5th MDG staff for truly showing dedication to excellence in all that they do, whether it was personnel in bioenvironmental, mental health, pediatrics or support staff, among others.

"I have been here for two and a half years and I am continually amazed by all the incredible individuals dedicated to the mission here, both in the 5th MDG and Team Minot," said Hoggan.

First Lt. Molly Matthews, 5th Medical Support Squadron medical logistics flight commander and recipient of the USAF Young Health Care Administrator of the Year Award, said she was proud she and her flight were recognized for their dedication.

Having her flight earn the Outstanding Medical Logistics Account of the Year - Small Activity, she explained it presents a great reflection of all of the hard work her team has done this past year. Ever since she began working here it has been a great experience for her, she added.

Matthews was also happy to see one of her Airman, Senior Airman Christopher Broadie, 5th MDSS medical material technician, recognized for his hard work, earning the Outstanding Medical Material Airman of the Year.

"I feel like we are a much better team now and we can achieve anything we put our minds to," said Matthews.

Recipients of the awards are scheduled to go on and compete at the Air Force level.

In 2010, Team Minot brought home four Air Force-level awards. Hoggan explained he expects the same level of success this year.

"Minot has just come through a challenging year with the flood, as well as some of the challenges associated with housing and staffing," said Hoggan. "I think Minot has many accomplishments which will help our AFGSC winners be competitive on an Air Force level."