AMC's strongest heartbeat: 436th MDG

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Medical Group has a reputation for excellence in all things healthcare and is now being recognized by Air Mobility Command and the Air Force for its accomplishments throughout 2013.

The 436th Medical Group clinic was named AMC's Clinic of the Year. Also, six 436th MDG individuals have also received awards: Senior Master Sgt. Jennifer Klink, 436th Dental Squadron superintendent, Staff Sgt. Tiffany Logan, 436th DS dental assistant, Master Sgt. Shakeera Wright, 436th MDG executive officer, Staff Sgt. Rhonda Russell, 436th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy technician, Tech. Sgt. Aisha Toston, 436th MDG Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program manager, and Senior Airman Manuel Alvarez, 436th MDSS biomedical equipment technician.

"The fact that we've had so many individual awards is really amazing for such a small clinic," said Col. Kevin Murphy, 436th MDG commander. "It's the first time we've won clinic of the year. The mission happens because of our young airmen, they deserve the recognition."

Wright won the 2013 AMC Air Force Pharmacy Technician NCO of the Year Award. She led a $7.5 million program with 53 Airmen and civilians, which serviced over 120 thousand patients and 176 thousand prescriptions with a safety average of over 98%. She also acted as her squadron's first sergeant, guiding 320 Airmen.

"The competition was tough but I felt honored that I was chosen amongst my peers," said Wright. "I appreciate the level of support that allowed me to win the award and be recognized."

Russell won the 2013 AMC Air Force Pharmacy Technician Airman of the Year Award. Some of her accomplishments over the past year include: equipping independent duty medical technicians; managed trip bags in support of the President Obama's Africa and French Mali missions, and enabling treatment for 111 persons over a 34 day period. She also facilitated a pharmacy AFSO21 event.

Russell said winning the award, in light of everything that has happened in the past year, was surprising.

"There have been a lot of difficult changes and improvements to the pharmacy," said Russell. "I was shocked and happy when I found out that I won."

Toston won the 2013 AMC Outstanding Air Force Diagnostics Imaging Technologist NCO of the Year. Over the past year, Toston directed Dover's imaging operations; managing six technicians and $1.6 million worth of equipment. She executed over two thousand examinations and authored a quality control training plan.

Toston was also honored as the 436th AW 2013 NCO of the Year.

"Last year was a really good year," said Toston. "It's really a big accomplishment for someone coming from a small clinic to beat out the other bases that are larger."

Alvarez won the 2013 AMC Outstanding Biomedical Equipment Repair Airman of the Year. During the past year, he pushed his shop's scheduling maximum rate from 66 to 99 percent, nine percent above Air Force standards. He was also a first responder during a severe water leak; stabilizing the situation and preventing a Dental shutdown, preventing over $1 million in property damage.

"I hope it reflects that my chain of command is amazing; I have complete support from my supervisor, flight chief, and squadron commander," said Alvarez. "Every time I felt I could accomplish a new task they helped push me in the right direction and let me know what I needed to do."


The 436th Dental Squadron had two award winners amongst its staff, Senior Master Sgt. Klink and Staff Sgt. Logan. Klink won the 2013 AMC Air Force Medical Service SNCO Leadership Award and Logan won the 2013 AMC Outstanding Dental NCO of the Year Award.

"It reflects on the high caliber of individuals we have, winning awards at that level," said Lt. Col. Darrell Smith, 436th DS commander. "You know the competition is very tough. [Klink] has been a remarkable superintendent. She hit the ground running and has really stepped up to fill in the gaps."

Klink was also named the 436th AW 2013 SNCO of the Year.

"Sgt. Klink is truly a superstar. She is one of those fire and forget kind of NCOs," said Col. Murphy. "Anything you ask her to do, you know it's going to get done."