ALCOAST 109/18 - MAR 2018 2017 WANDA ALLEN-YEAROUT OMBUDSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT

R 280726 MAR 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC //CG-11//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01754//
ALCOAST 109/18
COMDTNOTE 1754
SUBJ:  2017 WANDA ALLEN-YEAROUT OMBUDSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT
1.  I am pleased to announce that Mrs. Jennifer Kirkpatrick has been selected as the recipient
of the 2017 Wanda Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year Award. Mrs. Kirkpatrick will be
presented this prestigious award on 5 April 2018 at Coast Guard Headquarters.
2.  Mrs. Kirkpatrick is deeply committed to supporting Coast Guard members and their families
as the ombudsman for USCGC CONFIDENCE in Cape Canaveral, FL. She implemented a variety of communication methods to ensure that members and families remained consistently informed. She maintained a direct link to the command, both in port and underway, that resulted in the command being able to respond quickly to pertinent issues. 
3.  Mrs. Kirkpatrick has an in-depth knowledge of available programs and services and
aggressively seeks out new resources to assist families. She advocates on behalf of families
on Work-Life issues, ensuring services are provided in a timely manner.
4.  The following District level nominees also deserve special recognition for their particularly noteworthy accomplishments:
    A.  District One, Mrs. Jennifer Kuivinen, USCGC SENECA,
    B.  District Five, Mrs. Greta Lawson, United Kingdom Royal Navy (UKRN) Engineering Support
Detachment,
    C.  District Eight, Mrs. Melissa Dusek, CG MSU Texas City,
    D.  District Nine, Mrs. Sarah McClelland, CG STA Oswego, CG STA Sodus Point, CG STA Grand
Haven, and CG STA Ludington,
    E.  District Eleven, Mrs. Katharine Monsma, CG Pacific Strike Team,
    F.  District Thirteen, Mrs. Christa Kornoski, CG STA Portland, MSU Portland, and
USCGC BLUEBELL,
    G.  District Fourteen, Mrs. Jenae Woodward-Williams, USCGC SEQUOIA, and
    H.  District Seventeen, Mrs. Samantha Troup, USCGC ALEX HALEY
5.  The selection panel members were:
    A.  Master Chief Leilani Cale-Jones, COMDT (CG-00B),
    B.  Master Chief Charles Bushey, LANTAREA,
    C.  Master Chief Mark Pearson, PACAREA,
    D.  Master Chief Eric Johnson, COMDT (CG-13), and
    E.  Senior Chief Phadra Hooker, COMDT (CG-114)
6.  I applaud all the nominees for their accomplishments and their commanding officers for
taking the time to submit well-deserved nominations. I encourage all leaders to recognize their
ombudsman by submitting nominations next year for the 2018 Wanda Allen-Yearout Ombudsman of the Year Award. The 2017 awardee demonstrated outstanding professionalism in carrying out her duties. Bravo Zulu for a job well done!
7.  COMDT (CG-1112) POC is Ms. Shay Cook, Family Services Division Chief, (202) 475-5153;
Shay.Cook@uscg.mil, or Ms. Christine DeGraw, Ombudsman Program Manager, (202) 817-7268; Christine.M.Degraw@uscg.mil.
8.  RADM Erica G. Schwartz, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life sends.
9.  Internet release authorized.