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Wing IG officer earns AF Medical Award

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joshua Eikren
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Lt. Col. Kathryn Shaw, a Laboratory Officer and now the Scott Air Force Base Deputy Inspector General, was recently recognized as the Biomedical Category III Officer of the Year by the Air Force Medical Service.

Shaw has worked in the Scott Clinic Laboratory, but has been assigned to the Inspector General Office since January of 2014. The work she completed while in the IG office is what qualified her for this award category.

According to the Air Force Medical Services this category must recognize someone in the grade of first lieutenant through lieutenant colonel working outside of the Air Force Specialty Code and not assigned to a medical treatment facility.

"My award nomination accomplishments were primarily related to the work I implemented within the new Commanders' Inspection Program since being assigned to IG," said Shaw. "We reached full operational capability status by the Air Force 2014 deadline. I also demonstrated self-improvement, community involvement in the wing and off-base by supporting professional organizations relating to my Air Force Medical specialty as Laboratory Officer."

Shaw is an American Association of Blood Banks/College of American Pathologists inspector, AABB National Standards Committee Member and American Society for Quality member. Additionally, she is also the DoD project lead for an automated Laboratory Report Delivery System initiative that she assisted in starting at Scott.

The Laboratory Report Delivery System would automate the delivery of laboratory test reports to civilian network medical providers.

"Many patients are seen by doctors off-base but use the Scott AFB MTF Laboratory to get their lab work accomplished," said Shaw. "Currently, DoD laboratories fax those reports to off-base doctors. However, due to the time-intensive manual process of faxing and some other factors, the laboratory reports may not be received by the off-base doctor before the patient's next follow-up appointment."

The LRDS initiative will eventually result in a fully automated, electronic delivery of laboratory reports to off-base doctors as soon as the lab results are available. Not only does Shaw lead in development of technology advancement in her career field she also serves a mentor to Airmen she works with.

"It couldn't have happened to a better officer," said 1st Lt. Giselle Rieschick, 375th Medical Support Squadron Laboratory Flight Commander. "Shaw stands out as leader, committed to ensuring that those around her are trained and equipped with skills and knowledge to make better decisions, decisions that impact individuals not only as Airmen but as people."

Rieschick was trained and supervised by Shaw for her first duty station at Scott.
"From the start, it was obvious that she was a hard worker who enforced standards in a calm, collected way, and would accept nothing less from others," said Rieschick. "This translated into a cohesive, steady workplace that had a vision of the path ahead."

Taking what she's learned and accomplished, Shaw continues to set new goals for the future.

"I greatly appreciate the support of my leadership and being provided the opportunity to serve in and outside of my career field along with the tremendous professional growth that transpires in a career-broadening position," Shaw said. "My near-term goal is to complete Air War College and earn my AFSO Black Belt certification, and my longer-term goal is to be selected for squadron command in 2017."

Her job as a part of the Wing IG office will finish in August and she'll go on to be a part of the Air Force Blood Program at the Air Force Medical Operations Agency at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

"I will use skills learned in the IG office to oversee 17 medical facilities that manufacture or transfuse blood products," said Shaw.

Even outside of her career field, Shaw continues to positively impact Airmen.

Rieschick said, "Biological Service Corps officers, which laboratory officers are a part of, are often pursuing career broadening opportunities that may surprise those they serve. I think that it is important to highlight these accomplishments to inspire others to strive for excellence in tasks that seem beyond the typical scope."