March 26 marked the 21st anniversary of the formation of the U.S. Army Medical Department Civilian Corps.
To mark the day, Medical Department Activity-Alaska civilian staff members were honored March 27 at Bassett Army Community Hospital as part of MEDDAC-AK celebration.
Civilians have played a vital role in Army Medicine since the Continental Congress established a medical department on July 27, 1775. Virtually all medical functions were provided by civilians in the first few decades of the Army's existence. Over the nearly 240-year history of Army Medicine, civilian roles have continued to evolve. Today, civilians make up approximately 60 percent of the Army Medicine workforce.
"Throughout the history of the Army Medical Department, civilians have proudly served alongside uniformed service members to provide the best possible medical care and support to the Army," said Mr. Brad Wixon, medical records administrator, Bassett ACH and master of ceremony for the event.
During the celebration, Col. Tamara Crawford, deputy commander of nursing, Bassett ACH, honored MEDDAC-AK civilians who have been a part of the AMEDD Civilian Corps since its inception 21 years ago. Those civilians were awarded the Commander's Award for Civilian Service for their unwavering support of Army Medicine.
"The AMEDD Civilian Corps is recognized because of their importance in providing patient care," Crawford said. "MEDDAC-AK could not function without our civilians both in basic patient care and training our Soldiers."
Awardees included Colleen White, Penny Ward, Susan Turley, Lottie Thomas, Diane Setren, Virginia Rayburn, Jo Ann Powers, Donna Lewis, Kathy Humphrey, Char Conley, K Lee Hardcastle, Larry Kappel and Alan Burgess
Susan Turley, who has worked at MEDDAC-AK since 1980, the longest of any MEDDAC-AK employee, spoke to those in attendance about the rewards of working for the military and being a member of the AMEDD Civilian Corps.
"Working for Bassett Army Community Hospital for the last 37 years as an Army civilian has truly been an honor," Turley said. "I am grateful every day to be surrounded by dedicated individuals who put their commitment to our patients above all else. It has been a wonderful career, full of challenges, changes and opportunities."
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