EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The 96th Medical Group at Eglin Air Force Base has been named Air Force Materiel Command Hospital of the Year after generating more than 500,000 patient visits and supporting extensive medical readiness operations.
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The recognition highlights performance across clinical care, readiness, and support services. The 96th Medical Group also earned 17 additional AFMC annual awards recognizing individual Airmen and specialized medical teams.
Throughout the year, the medical group completed more than 700,000 laboratory tests and issued over 6,000 patient clearances for personnel preparing for deployments and other missions.
“This award demonstrates the hard work and the dedication of the entire staff,” said Col. Tara Lovell, 96th MDG commander.
“It takes true collaboration and effort of each section to get the job done.”
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Several individual Airmen were recognized for excellence across multiple specialties.
Senior Airman Bryson Rodgers of the 96th Dental Squadron earned Dental Airman of the Year. As a dental laboratory technician, Rodgers assists providers in producing dental prosthetics for patients.
“This is not the end of my achievements,” he stated. “I hope to continue to raise the standard as a lab technician and as an Airman.”
Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Matos received Pharmacy Technician NCO of the Year. In her role, she helps ensure patients receive correct medications and supported the processing of more than 520,000 prescriptions in 2025.
Matos also serves as one of two Phase II training instructors for pharmacy technicians at the installation.
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“I’m grateful to have the best leadership, who uses our strengths to our advantage,” she said.
Tech. Sgt. Shannon Ury was named Public Health NCO of the Year. Ury said mentoring junior Airmen was among her most meaningful accomplishments.
“I couldn’t do this job if I didn’t have the support of my team,” she said.
Senior Airman Miranda Russell earned Surgical Service Airman of the Year for her work as an orthopedic technician, assisting surgeons and providing patient splinting and casting care.
“My goal is to commission, and being recognized for this award motivates me to continue to work towards this goal and shows me I’m doing something right,” she said.
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Additional AFMC award recipients include:
Public Health NCO of the Year
TSgt Shannon E. Ury
Laboratory NCO of the Year
TSgt Miguel W. Rodriguez Amaya
Diagnostic Imaging NCO of the Year
TSgt Dornita R. Melvin
Pharmacy Technician NCO of the Year
SSgt Kaitlyn J. Matos
Mental Health NCO of the Year
SSgt Ashley M. Crawford
Pharmacy Technician Airman of the Year
SrA Yuliana Payblas
Mental Health Airman of the Year
SrA Shannon N. Taylor
Surgical Service Airman of the Year
SrA Miranda Russell
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Dental Airman of the Year
SrA Bryson J. Rogers
Diagnostic Imaging Airman of the Year
SrA Alejandro S. Gonzalez
Public Health Airman of the Year
Airman 1st Class Freda A. Baah
Aerospace Medicine Airman of the Year
A1C Fay A. Madlangbayan
Team awards included:
Surgeon General Hospital of the Year
96th Medical Group
Health Plan Management Team of the Year
96th MDG TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration Flight
Medical Service Corps Team of the Year
96th MDG Medical Service Corps
Medical Logistics Team of the Year
96th MDG Medical Logistics Flight
Medical Readiness Team of the Year
96th Medical Support Squadron Medical Readiness Flight
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