Base safety, MDS capture AFMC-level awards Published Dec. 9, 2015 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Members of the Hanscom Safety Office and 66th Medical Squadron were recently named Air Force Materiel Command award winners in both team and individual categories. "We have tremendous talent at Hanscom Air Force Base and these awards reflect only part of that talent pool," said Col. Michael A. Vogel, 66th Air Base Group commander. "Each of these award winners are the best in Air Force Materiel Command and I could not be more proud to serve alongside them." Senior Safety Program Manager of the Year Shelly Kelley, occupational safety manager, was named AFMC's Senior Safety Program Manager of the Year. Among her many accomplishments during the past year include being named the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board Public Safety Employee of the Year. Additionally, as safety team lead during last spring's Unit Effectiveness Inspection, her team garnered an Outstanding Team Award from the command's inspector general team. "Her leadership in the Safety Office has resulted in significant improvements to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and the 66th Air Base Group safety programs," said Galen Williams, 66 ABG Safety director. Safety Career Professional of the Year As an occupational safety craftsman, Staff Sgt. Shaun Bassett was selected as AFMC's Safety Career Professional of the Year. "Sergeant Bassett is also a proven safety professional," said Williams. "His efforts with the virtual safety binder program have transformed the assessment process by reducing workload up to 80 percent." Additionally, Bassett's efforts in developing a safety SharePoint site was identified as a strength by the command's IG team during last spring's inspection. Outstanding Intermediate Safety Program Manager of the Year Shawn Rice, 66th Civil Engineering safety manager, was recognized as the AFMC Outstanding Intermediate Safety Program Manager of the Year. "Shawn Rice took the base's largest safety program to a new level," said Tom Schluckebier, base civil engineer. "CE had zero safety findings during the recent UEI." Also, during record snowfall last winter, Rice worked to ensure employees remained safe during CE snow removal efforts while working as a volunteer snow removal augmentee himself. Aero Club Safety Certificate Award The Hanscom Air Force Base Aero Club fostered an assertive and proactive flight safety program that resulted in zero incidents during 840 sorties totaling 1,140 hours of flight time. "There are many factors that set the Hanscom Aero Club apart from all the others; among them is the professional attitude and first class approach taken by Steve Bates and his staff each and every day," Williams said. Clinical Dentist of the Year Capt. Ryan Gustafson, staff dentist, was selected as the AFMC Clinical Dentist of the Year. As interim Dental Operations Flight commander, Gustafson was recognized as the squadron's Company Grade Officer of the Year while leading the 14-member dental team. "Among his many accomplishments throughout the past year include his innovative upgrade training plan that resulted in the reduction of X-ray retakes by up to 50 percent," said Col. Joel Almosara, 66 MDS commander. Biomedical Specialist Category I Officer of the Year Capt. James Caviness, public health technician, was named AFMC's Biomedical Specialist Category I Officer of the Year. "While much of his tremendous work was accomplished while assigned to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, the Hanscom community is fortunate to have him as part of the team," said Almosara. Outstanding Dental Airman of the Year Senior Airman Fidel T. Ababa, dental technician, was selected as the command's Outstanding Dental Airman of the Year. "As the Central Instruments Processing Center program manager for the squadron, Airman Ababa was responsible for processing thousands of instruments used by medics on hundreds of patients," said Almosara. "He also was willing to fill in for others during manning gaps that resulted in seamless results for the squadron." Off duty, Ababa is the vice president of the Hanscom Dorm Council, volunteered at Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps drill competition and completed college courses. Small Dental Clinic of the Year The perennial recipient in the Small Dental Clinic category is the Hanscom Dental Clinic. "The 66th Medical Squadron Dental Clinic is among the best I have seen throughout my Air Force career," said Almosara. "Their efforts in patient safety, Airmen upgrade training and improving processes are only a few of the accomplishments made by this group of professionals."