Kauderman named 'Support Airman of the Week'

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  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Capt. John Kauderman, 82nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron optometrist and native of Valrico, Fla., has been in the Air Force for one year and is the Support Airman of the Week for the week of Sept. 22-28, 2015. Kauderman ensures Airmen are medically ready to perform their daily tasks by providing a variety of healthcare services for eyesight.

How he impacts the training mission:

"John Kauderman Jr. is one of the Medical Group's most productive healthcare providers," said Capt. Michael Gitchel, optometry flight commander. "He has seen 1,860 patients to date and increased the optometry's clinical access to active duty spouse's, dependents, and retirees. Kauderman has saved the Air Force nearly $370,000 in eye care, and reduced TRICARE loss by $148,000. He has also worked to obtain trial contact lenses which has allow the clinic to offer new contact lens fits to trainees and their dependents, a savings of $92,000 which would have been out of pocket cost to patients. Additionally, he oversees the 82nd and 80th Wing's Aircrew soft contact lens program for 105 operators and ensured zero training losses due to contact lens related 'do not fly' conditions. He has won the Medical Group's award for customer service and is an adjunct professor training three optometry students from Western College of Optometry."

Most significant accomplishments:

· Essilor Grant Award Winner for published paper.
· Health Professions Scholarship Program recipient.
· Three time Half-Ironman finisher in Florida, Miami and Buffalo Springs.
· Hotter'N Hell 100 Sheppard Medical Support Stop Medical chief.
· In place patient decontamination, team chief and featured spokesman.
· Completed 1,700 exams - $370,000 in care - raising annual productivity goal by 112 percent.
· Directed record review for 105 operators and enabled 10,000 sorties and12,000 flying hours.
· Earned top MDG award for customer service and received countless patient praises.
· Dedicated 480 hours and 300 exams to training student optometrists, providing $71,000 in care and $7,000 recaptured in dependent and retiree care.
· Received Bachelor of Science in microbiology and cell science from the University of Florida.
· Received Bachelor of Science in vision science from Nova Southeastern University.
· Received Doctorate of Optometry from Nova Southeastern University.
· Adjunct Professor at Western University College of Optometry.

"After graduating from the University of Florida and attending Optometry school at Nova Southeastern University he knew he wanted pursue a military career," Gitchel said. "Captain Kauderman grew up in a military family with his father, a retired lieutenant commander, serving 20 years in the Navy. His grandfather served during the second World War and a number of his uncles served as well."