Vance dentist, dental clinic named best in Air Force

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VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla --  The dental flight and one of its dentists at Vance Air Force Base were selected winners in the 2012 Air Force Medical Service Annual Award competition.

The 71st Dental Services Flight was named the Small Dental Clinic of the Year.

Capt. (Dr.) Christopher Fries was named the Clinical Dentist of the Year.

The Surgeon General's Medical Force Development Directorate announced the winners of the 2012 Air Force Medical Service Annual Award competition, Feb. 4.

Members of the Vance AFB dental flight are: Maj. (Dr.) Tyetus Hohnstein, Capt. (Dr.) Christopher Fries, Master Sgt. Charity Phillips, Tech. Sgt. John Snyder, Staff Sgt. Yvette Morales, Staff Sgt. Emily Burgess, Staff Sgt. Hollynd Walker, Senior Airman Nicola DeJesus, Airman 1st Class Lydia Lewis and Kylia Hasset.

Other Medical Service individual award winners from Air Education and Training Command are:
  • U.S. Air Force Healthcare Administrator of the Year - Capt. Joshua D. Peter, 359th Medical Group, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
  • Outstanding Civilian of the Year -- Timothy Valladares, 59th Medical Operations Group, JB San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
  • U.S. Air Force Biomedical Specialist Category II Officer of the Year Company Grade Category - Capt. Kaelin J. Armstrong, 559th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • U.S. Air Force Biomedical Clinician Category III Officer of the Year - Maj. Michael D. McCarthy, 82nd Medical Operations Squadron, Sheppard AFB, Texas.
  • Dental Educator of the Year - Maj. Scott F. Gruwell, 59th Dental Group, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • Outstanding Biomedical Equipment Repair NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Christopher J. Gage, 59th Medical Logistics and Readiness Squadron, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • Outstanding Mental Health Airman of the Year - Senior Airman Casey L. Anderson, 59th MDOG, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • Outstanding Diet Therapy NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Tiffany C. Patterson, 59th Medical Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • Outstanding Aerospace Medicine Airman of the Year Award - Senior Airman Blaise M. Muluh, 17th Medical Operations Squadron, Goodfellow AFB, Texas.
  • U.S. Air Force Surgical Service NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Brianna L. Hunt, 383rd Training Squadron, JB San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
  • U.S. Air Force Pharmacy Technician NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Karen F. Stegall, 59th Pharmacy Squadron, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • Outstanding Air Force Diagnostic Imaging Technologist NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Kris R. Robertson, 59th MDOG, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • U.S. Air Force Ophthalmic Airman of the Year - Senior Airman Pricious M. Dongon, 59th MDOG, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • Outstanding Dental Airman of the Year - Senior Airman Jennifer Romine, 17th MDOS, Goodfellow AFB.
  • U.S. Air Force Clinical Excellence in Nursing Company Grade Office Category - Capt. Michael A. Pomager Jr., 59th MDOG, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • U.S. Air Force Outstanding Excellence in Nursing Leadership - Lt. Col. Patricia I. John, 359th MDG, JB San Antonio-Randolph.
Individual award winners are authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon.

Other Medical Service team award winners from AETC are:
  • Outstanding Medical Readiness Team -- 59th Medical Logistics and Readiness Squadron, JB San Antonio-Lackland.
  • U.S. Air Force Outstanding Patient Centered Medical Home - 359th MDG, JB San Antonio-Randolph.