4 Air Force Medical Award winners at Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Four members of Team Sheppard were recently recognized as the best of the best when they were announced winners of the annual Air Force Medical Service Awards. 

Tech. Sgt. Margaret Cooper, an instructor supervisor for the 382nd Training Squadron, was awarded the Outstanding Biomedical Equipment Repair NCO of the Year. Master Sgt. Jeff Johnson, a career development course writer, received the Chief Master Sergeant Lewis W. Dunlap Outstanding Senior NCO Award. 

Awards were also given to Maj. Ramesh Persaud, an occupational therapist for the 82nd Medical Operations Squadron, who earned the United States Air Force Field Grade Occupational Therapist Award. And the Chief Master Sgt. Anton Zembrod Award for the Outstanding Air Force Diagnostic Imaging Technologist Civilian of the Year went to David Pickrel, the radiology phase II course supervisor. 

Some of these outstanding individuals felt that the award was a result of taking advantage of opportunities presented while at Sheppard. 

"The nature of my job here at Sheppard has given me opportunities I might not have had at other bases. I get to communicate directly with the major command functional managers and the Career Field Manager about various issues affecting the mental health career field. These conversations sometimes lead to opportunities and challenges to work on issues affecting the entire career field," Sergeant Johnson said.

After winning the NCO level award in 2005, he didn't believe he would receive the award again.

"I still can't believe it, honestly... I thought I got lucky that time. There are so many sharp SNCOs in my career field out there doing amazing things; I never really thought I would be able to win again," Sergeant Johnson said.

The winners said they are looking forward to more challenges and chances to lead fellow Airmen because they want to set the example for all the Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers around them.