Offutt Airman earns medical service award

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The Air Force Medical Service recently announced a 55th Medical Group Airman as the 2014 Personnel Reliability Program Military Treatment Facility Monitor of the Year.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Stephanie Dean, the award recipient, operated as the PRP MTF Monitor for several years and her hard work did not go unnoticed.

"Sergeant Dean served for more than two years in the PRP clinic and from start to finish was the backbone of the program," said U.S. Air Force Col. Thatcher Cardon, 55th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander. "The protection of our nuclear programs and awards we received were a direct result of her excellence and integrity.  Not only that, but she is a ton of fun to work with."

She has now switched jobs and works as the family medicine residency NCO-in-charge and her current leadership couldn't be more proud.

"Sergeant Dean is an outstanding young NCO and leader," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Banks, 55th Medical Operations Squadron FMR chief. "Her dedication to the Personnel Reliability Program, and ability to lead a team, proved vital to the success of the 55th Medical Group, 55th Wing, and U.S. Strategic Command missions. Her award is well deserved and we all here at the 55th Medical Group are proud of her."

When she served as the PRP MTF monitor, her role had an impact on Offutt and its tenant units.

"My responsibility was to be the liaison between the 55th Medical Group and the Personnel Reliability Program units on base," said Dean. "PRP deals with all of the members throughout the wing that deal with the nuclear enterprise like the 55th Security Forces Squadron, the Navy detachment unit, and several units that are part of United States Strategic Command.  Some of my responsibilities were tracking training for the medical group, helping the inspections teams with set up within the medical treatment facility, and certifying new personnel to be PRP."

She was also very active outside the unit. Dean completed 15 credit hours towards her bachelor's degree in business administration, completed all her Community College of the Air Force requirements and even found time to volunteer several hours at a local school.

Dean said she was honored to receive the award, but could not have done it without her team.

"I was very excited to win this award," said Dean. "The PRP team at Ehrling Berquist does an amazing job.  A lot of hard work has gone into the program and everyone involved has done an amazing job. I enjoyed my time at PRP and this award is without a doubt one of my greatest accomplishments." 

Later this year, Dean will continue her Air Force journey, alongside her six year-old daughter to San Antonio where she will serve as a technical instructor at Fort Sam Houston.