ALCOAST 265/25 - JUN 2025 2024 HEALTH CARE AWARD SELECTION RESULTS

R 101140Z JUN 25   MID120001996660U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 265/25
SSIC 6010
SUBJ: 2024 HEALTH CARE AWARD SELECTION RESULTS
A. Recognition Programs, COMDTINST 1650.26A
1. In accordance with REF (A), a selection board convened in
May 2025 to review nominations for the Coast Guard (CG) 2024
Michael J. Cristy Health Care Facility (HCFOY), Health Services
Technician (HSOY), and Independent Duty Health Services
Technician (IDHSOY) of the year awards.
2. HCFOY - The winner of the 2024 HCFOY (Large) is ATC MOBILE,
(Medium) AIRSTA CLEARWATER and (Small) BASE SAN JUAN:
    a. (Large) ATC MOBILE Clinic as demonstrated by their innovation
and performance in 2024, the clinic staff consistently delivered
high quality patient care and excelled at enforcing the highest
medical standards to maintain a mission-ready force. The clinic
serves in a broad capacity for our fellow active duty and reserve
members, providing medical interventions, dental care, ancillary
services, occupational screenings, and aviation medicine. The ATC
clinic hosted seven influenza mass vaccination events at ATC,
Sector Mobile, Polar Security Cutter Project Resident Office,
PSU 308, and Station Dauphin Island. Clinic staff safely completed
386 vaccinations while connecting with patients in their place of
work and saving operational commanders time lost for their crews
to obtain medical care. Still recovering from the aftermath of
Hurricane Helene, the southeastern United States was faced with
the arrival of the category three Hurricane Milton. On short notice,
ATC Mobile clinic assumed custody of Air Station Clearwater clinic's
vaccine supply and certain prescription medications. Following the
storm, a swift return of custody to Air Station Clearwater, enabled
the clinic to resume pharmacy operations without undue delay to
patient care.
    b. USCG ACADEMY was also a finalist for this award and can take
pride in their significant accomplishments during 2024.
    c. (Medium) AIRSTA CLEARWATER Clinic provided sustained high
performance, extraordinary care, and support of Coast Guard-wide
operations and contingencies, which was remarkable considering
an incredibly challenging period for District 7 and
AIRSTA Clearwater. Hurricanes HELENE and MILTON made landfall as
catastrophic storms, causing massive devastation to Florida's
coastline with wind speeds exceeding 180 mph and historic storm
surge reaching 15 feet. These major back-to-back storms claimed over
250 lives and caused damage in excess of $81 billion. Preparing for
and responding to the historic storms, the AIRSTA Clearwater Clinic
surged to support aviation operations and regained clinic
functionality within 72 hours of each hurricane landfall.
In delivering a direct impact to the community, the AIRSTA
Clearwater Clinic hosted three blood drives which collected
25 units of blood that saved 56 lives. The medical team at
AIRSTA Clearwater also played a key role in planning and executing
the AIRSTA's first annual Breast Cancer Awareness 5k Walk/Run.
Their exceptional performance, cost-saving efforts, and dedication
to excellence make them truly deserving of this award.
    d. BASE CAPE COD was also a finalist for this award and can take
pride in their significant accomplishments during 2024.
    e. (Small) BASE SAN JUAN clinic staff, while overcoming language
barriers and antiquated facilities, completed 10,620 medical
appointments to support Coast Guard operations in the Eastern
Caribbean that successfully interdicted 1,500 migrants, detained
110 smugglers, and saved 1,600 mariners in distress. The clinic
staff continually sought improvements towards patient care, patient
education, and stewardship of government resources to earn the
distinction as the preferred Military Treatment Facility in the
Eastern Caribbean. Demonstrating strong financial discipline, BASE
San Juan clinic staff worked proactively with TRACEN Cape May's
Senior Medical Technologist to acquire additional laboratory
equipment, facilitating critical testing for COVID-19, Influenza
A & B, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). This collaboration
resulted in a savings of $5,440 from the clinic's budget while
ensuring operational needs were met.
    f. BASE KETCHIKAN was also a finalist for this award and can take
pride in their significant accomplishments during 2024.
3. HSOY - The winner of the 2024 HSOY Award is HS1 BROOKE MUNIZ,
ATC MOBILE:
    a. HS1 MUNIZ'S performance and significant contributions to
ATC MOBILE, and the Coast Guard were unparalleled as demonstrated by
her many accomplishments over the past year. HS1 Muniz delivered
exceptional patient care through a comprehensive range of services
for the clinic's direct empanelment of 791 patients, as well as an
additional 913 individuals enrolled indirectly, resulting in a total
of 1,704 active duty and reserve members spanning eight states and
42 commands. In direct reflection of her commitment, HS1 Muniz led
service-wide training modules and completed rating proficiency
qualification tasks with subordinates resulting in nine HSs
attempting the May 2024 Service-wide Examination, which led to four
advancements. HS1 Muniz consistently demonstrates the leadership we
desire to lead our organization, stepping up to fill critical roles
above grade such as Acting Clinic Supervisor and Health, Safety, and
Work-Life Department Head for a combined total of 83 days in 2024.
    b. HS1 BROOKE COULTER (TRACEN CAPE MAY) and HS1 ELIZABETH HARDEY
(BASE NCR) were also finalists and nominated by their Commands for
this award and can take pride in their significant accomplishments
during 2024.
4. IDHSOY - The winner of the 2024 IDHSOY Award is HSC RACHEL LARSON
USCG TACLET PACIFIC:
    a. HSC LARSON is being recognized for demonstrating unwavering
commitment to her shipmates over the past year serving as the unit's
IDHS, Pharmacy Technician, Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)
Combat Medic/Corpsman-Tier 3, Behavior Health Specialist, lead
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), TCCC Instructor, Operational
Stress Control Instructor, to include Train-the-Trainer, and Applied
Suicide Intervention Skills Training professional. She is responsible
for routine and emergent patient care, medical readiness and
administration, and all unit sick bay operations across TACLET
Pacific's high demand and globally deployable 144-member command. She
was hand selected by Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego's
Deputy Operations Branch Chief to deliver training to the 28 U.S.
Marine Corps drill of qualified medical personnel to deliver
life-saving training to the first responders charged with the care of
the annual flow of over 21,000 Marine Corps Recruits. As part of a
joint force initiative, she volunteered and devoted 200+ hours to
review and test workflows that defined the requirement baseline for
electronic health record software used in low/no connectivity
environments. Her thorough and careful evaluation of the workflows
identified numerous system inefficiencies and gaps captured in over
300 Incident Reports (IRs).
    b. The following IDHSs were finalists for this award and
can take pride in their significant accomplishments during 2024:
HSC RYAN RANSOM - SECTOR OHIO VALLEY
HS2 JAMIE RISCHE - CGC DEPENDABLE
HS1 MATTHEW GARCIA - CGC SPENCER
HS1 CHRISTIAN ORTEGA-SANTIAGO - MSST LA/LB
HS1 ANDREW PAIYARAT - AIRSTA NEW ORLEANS
HS1 CHRISTOPHER ROCHE - BASE KODIAK
5. All nominees are worthy of the recognition and support provided
by their Commands. I applaud all the nominees for their
accomplishments and their Commanding Officers and Supervisors for
taking the time to submit well-deserved nominations. Successful
mission execution demands the very best. Mission support
professionals must possess in-depth technical knowledge, strong
leadership skills, practical experience, and professional
credentials to sustain our greatest assets: our people.
I encourage all leaders to recognize their high performing
medical professionals by nominating them next year for the
2025 Health Care Awards. This year's awardees demonstrated
outstanding professionalism in carrying out their duties.
Bravo Zulu for a job very well done.
6. Award presentations for the 2024 winners will be scheduled at
a date and time TBD.
7. POC: Mr. Luis A. Muniz, COMDT (CG-1K22), Luis.A.Muniz2@uscg.mil.
8. RADM Paul Jung, Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety,
and Work-Life (CG-1K), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.