👥 Who: 96th Medical Group, Col. Tara Lovell, and multiple award-winning Airmen and NCOs
🏆 What: Won AFMC Hospital of the Year and 18 total annual awards
📅 When: Announced January 29, 2026
📍 Where: Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
🚀 Why: Exceptional patient care, high operational output, leadership, and mission readiness
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — The 96th Medical Group at Eglin Air Force Base has been named Air Force Materiel Command’s Hospital of the Year, highlighting a banner performance year that delivered record-setting patient care and operational excellence.
The honor comes after the medical group completed more than 500,000 patient visits, processed 700,000 laboratory tests, and issued over 6,000 medical clearances — milestones that helped secure a total of 18 AFMC annual awards across multiple departments.
“This award demonstrates the hard work and the dedication of the entire staff,” said Col. Tara Lovell, commander of the 96th Medical Group. “It takes true collaboration and effort of each section to get the job done.”
Beyond the hospital-wide recognition, Airmen and noncommissioned officers from dental, pharmacy, public health, mental health, surgical services, diagnostic imaging, and aerospace medicine were honored for their outstanding performance.
Senior Airman Bryson Rodgers of the 96th Dental Squadron earned Dental Airman of the Year for his work creating dental prosthetics that improved patient care and readiness.
“This is not the end of my achievements,” Rodgers said. “I hope to continue to raise the standard as a lab technician and as an Airman.”
Staff Sgt. Kaitlyn Matos was named Pharmacy Technician NCO of the Year after helping manage more than 520,000 prescriptions in 2025 while also serving as one of only two Phase II pharmacy training instructors on base.
“I’m grateful to have the best leadership, who uses our strengths to our advantage,” Matos said.
Public Health NCO of the Year Tech. Sgt. Shannon Ury emphasized mentorship as a defining factor in her team’s success.
“I couldn’t do this job if I didn’t have the support of my team,” Ury said.
Senior Airman Miranda Russell received Surgical Service Airman of the Year for her work as an orthopedic technician, assisting in surgical procedures while providing splinting and casting services.
“My goal is to commission, and being recognized motivates me to continue working toward that goal,” Russell said.
Leadership officials say the awards reflect not only individual excellence but also the strength of teamwork, training, and mission readiness across the installation.
Congratulations to the following on their AFMC win:
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
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
Surgeon General Hospital of the Year
96th MDG
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
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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