MDG members win Air Force-level awards

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Two 7th Medical Group Airmen were surprised to learn they won Air Force-level awards for outstanding performance and dedication Feb. 10.

Captain Melissa Meister, 7th MDG chief, public health element, won the Public Health
Officer of the Year Award; and Tech. Sgt. W. Shane Brown, 7th MDG noncommissioned officer-incharge of medical equipment repair, won the Biomedical Equipment Repair Technician of the Year Award.

With the help of a proficient staff, Captain Meister was able to raise the occupational health competency compliance rates on base above the Air Force’s minimum standard of 90 percent, ensuring the base is vaccinated and deployment-ready. They also raised the Preventive Health Assessment Individual Medical Readiness percentage to 83 percent.

Captain Meister credited the Airmen in her office with the success that affected her award package.

“The Airmen in the office are the ones who made it happen,” Captain Meister said. “They help me every day and make sure the office tempo goes on. Even during my deployment, they were the ones making it happen -- making sure the base can deploy.”

Lieutenant Colonel Annata Sullivan, 7th MDG aero-medical services flight commander, said Captain Meister is an extremely deserving award winner and an outstanding officer.

“She knows her job very well and is an outstanding leader,” Colonel Sullivan said. “Anything that you ask of her gets done quickly and accurately, and she’s a fantastic person to have work for you.

“We’re very lucky to have her here at Dyess and in the military. She’s got a lot of knowledge and experience. She’s done very well deployment-wise, and is going again in April. We’re very proud of her.”

Sergeant Brown not only managed the medical equipment repair shop but also performed squadron superintendent duties, including writing enlisted performance reports and feedbacks, tracking numerous items of paperwork, managing the squadron meals on wheels and vehicle programs, and many other volunteer activities.

Sergeant Brown, who has won other Air Combat Command awards, said he credits his many successes, including his most recent Air Force-level award and the 7th Bomb Wing NCO of the Year Award, to the many “extracurriculars” he’s participated in.

“If you look at my desk, you see a lot of awards, but that’s not why I do (my job),” he said. “My intention is not to win this award every year; it’s to do what I enjoy -- helping others.”

Captain Dwayne Baca, 7th MDG medical logistics flight commander, said Sergeant Brown “wowed” the ACC Staff Assistant Visit team and is an outstanding NCO.

“He’s always the go-getter,” he said. “No matter who’s here, he’s the one who makes things happen. When ACC came, they saw that the shop’s run very smoothly.”