172d Airlift Wing's Capt. Setrick Johnson Captures National Award

  • Published
  • By TSgt Ed Staton
  • 172d Airlift Wing
February 10, 2012 --  The 172d Airlift Wing has just made medical headlines with the announcement that Capt. Setrick Johnson has been named the winner of the 2011 Brigadier General Peter C. Bellisario Young Health Care Administrator of the Year Award.

Considering that 89 Air National Guard units across the nation compete for this award further highlights Johnson's achievement. The Medial Administrative officer for the 172d Medical Group was credited for streamlining the line of duty process for the Mississippi Air National Guard. The improved LOD procedure enabled the MSANG to save nearly $2,000 per patient which is a valuable cost-saving measure while budgets are being crunched.

"Getting this award speaks volumes about the quality of the Mississippi Air National Guard, this wing and our leadership that have put their true support behind the medical unit," said Johnson. "I also wouldn't have this award without the staff that I work with day in and day out."
Second Lieutenants through captains that have 10 or few years of commissioned service are eligible for the award. Applicants are judged on their leadership traits, their past year's accomplishments and more.

Acknowledgement of his award will take place at two venues. Capt. Johnson will receive the prestigious award at the College of Healthcare Executives event that will be held on March 21 in Chicago. He will also be honored by the Air National Guard Surgeon General at the Readiness Frontiers annual medical conference in June.

Capt. Johnson's opportunity to gain additional awards does not stop at the National Guard level. He will now compete on the Air Force level in the same category. The 172d medical officer who provides the overall medical management for the wing and our geographically separated units says he's grateful for the support he's received.

"I want to thank Col Sessums and Lt Col Schwartz, my commander and deputy commander for their leadership and for giving me the opportunity," Johnson said. I also want to thank Brig Gen Crisler for the opportunity he's provided me in being able to work in this position."