MINOT AIR FOCE BASE, N.D. -- The inaugural Patients' First Collaboration Award was presented to the military treatment facility and TRICARE service center staffs from the 5th Medical Support Squadron.

The Patients' First award is presented by the TRICARE Regional Office - West and its Department of Defense contractor, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, to acknowledge the commitment to care and service that medical treatment facilities and TRICARE service contracts deliver to the 2.8 million beneficiaries in the West Region.

"Being nominated was quite an honor, and then being selected as the recipients of the award makes us all hunger to provide even better customer service for those beneficiaries who deserve the best from us," said Kerby Hertz, Minot's Clinical TRICARE liaison nurse.

"It was like hitting the jackpot or winning the lottery. We are most proud of the passion and commitment that our staff brings to a most deserving population."

Minot won over 85 other submissions.

"As one of the smallest MTFs in the Air Force, winning against large medical centers is a big deal," said LaVonne Cameron, 5th Medical Group. "It is the very first Patients' First award given. We are dedicated to our beneficiaries, ensuring the best care possible for them. We interact daily on patient issues and needs to ensure quality care and service for our beneficiaries."

TriWest President and CEO David J. McIntyre, Jr., said Minot demonstrates superior dedication to serving America's military family.

"I am extremely proud of Minot," he said. "But most of all, I thank them on behalf of our patients who have earned our very best efforts in care and service."

Mr. Titus Welcome

Civilian employee, Mr. Titus Welcome, has been chosen to represent the Air Force to compete for the 2006 Government Employee Insurance Company Military Service Public Service Awards.

Mr. Welcome will represent the Air Force in the drug and alcohol abuse prevention category. He's assigned to McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., as the Drug Demand Program manager. According to his nomination, his superior professionalism and leadership were instrumental in ensuring a ready 'drug-free' fit fighting force at McGuire AFB. His enthusiasm and attitude is credited with making a positive impact on numerous drug prevention events throughout his base and local communities.

Mr. Welcome is now authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon.

Master Sgt. Charles Cremeans

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Master Sgt. Charles Cremeans, 786th Security Forces Squadron deployable medic, was recently named the Air Force nominee for the Lewis L. Seaman Enlisted Award for outstanding operational support.

The award is sponsored by the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

"We are clearly very proud of Master Sgt. Cremeans," Col. Rich Johnston, Kaiserslautern Military Community, and 86th Airlift Wing commander, wrote. "He has represented U.S. Air Forces in Europe and the Air Force very well."

The Seaman Award is made possible through funds first provided to AMSUS in 1900 by the late Major Lewis Livingston Seaman, a surgeon of the First U.S. Volunteers, Spanish American War.

After many years of not being awarded, the Lewis L. Seaman Enlisted Award for Outstanding Operational Support was established in 1998 to recognize an enlisted medical healthcare professional who has made a significant impact in the areas of patient care, clinical support or healthcare management, and to their service's medical mission.

The awards are presented to active duty, Reserve or Guard enlisted professionals of the Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard, who have exhibited outstanding accomplishments in advancing the healthcare mission of their service through demonstrated compassionate and quality patient care and service, clinical support or healthcare management.

The awards are presented at the Association's annual meeting during the annual dinner. The annual meeting is currently scheduled to be held Nov. 5-10 in San Antonio, Texas. A plaque and a monetary award will be presented to the winner.