Immunization medic sticks spot on AFA Team of the Year

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The technician assesses the situation before him: a nervous mother and her infant son, the younger of whom will undergo a painful medical procedure under the lone tech's ministrations.

With practiced ease, he runs through the standard prep work - pre-screening questions, accessing and reviewing medical records, briefing the mother on possible side effects and appropriate responses for each one, and double checking the equipment he will use.

He instructs the mother to lay her baby on the bed. The tiny patient, oblivious to his imminent fate, coos, giggles and smiles at his mother and even the tech.

Suddenly a cold needle pierces the chubby pink flesh of the baby's thigh. A moment later his cherubic face is a scrunched, beet-red visual of pure outrage, and a high-pitched screech fills the air. The mother's face is turned away, twisted in an expression of anguish. But as abruptly as the procedure begins, it's over. Two more quick shots, and the first round of diphtheria, tetanus, influenza and hepatitis B vaccinations required for every 2-month-old military dependent has been delivered.

The technician is Senior Airman Robert Zuniga, a member of the 82nd Medical Operations Squadron. His calm handling of stressful situations, from giving jittery military personnel and dependents immunizations and allergy shots, to caring for the wounded in the middle of an Iraqi war zone, did not go unnoticed by the Air Force Association. When awarding the Air Force's expeditionary medics with the AFA 2007 Team of the Year title, the AFA named Airman Zuniga as a member of that team.

"I'm stunned," Airman Zuniga said in response to his award. "There are so many hardworking Airmen in the medical career field, anyone could have been chosen. Lackland and Keesler both have huge medical squadrons, full of great Airmen. To see them recognize me is ... I'm just stunned," he repeated with a small headshake and smile.

Anyone who read the package submitted on his behalf might understand why Airman Zuniga was stiff competition. He took the immunization/allergy specialty course at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and left as a distinguished graduate. During his five-month deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq, Airman Zuniga stayed behind on a flight line with six injured patients in the middle of a full-scale mortar attack. He also struggled to save lives after a car bomb produced mass casualties.

"He deserves this," said Staff Sgt. Kirsten Leming, Airman Zuniga's supervisor, of the recognition. "It's a great example to other Airmen of how hard work really does pay off."

Preparation for his award-winning duties began much like this article - at the immunization clinic.

As the previously-mentioned mother tightly cradled her freshly inoculated baby, blinking back tears herself, Airman Zuniga reminded her to watch for signs of fever or excessive crying. The latter didn't seem a concern, however, as the baby, his face still red, gave Airman Zuniga a shaky smile as he was carried out the door.

Airman Zuniga will travel to Washington, D.C. in April to meet his fellow AFA teammates and receive his award.