Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

(Left to right) Senior Airman Christopher Bloom, Staff Sgt. Adam Antonioli, and Gail Campbell, all of the Hill Medical Treatment Facility pharmacy work a table at the BX on April 27. Behind them are Airman 1st Class Austin Putnam and Senior Airman Steven Carrillo, both of the 75th Security Forces Squadron. More than 259 pounds of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications were taken in at the event, more than any other. (Mary Lou Gorny/Hilltop Times)

“I am very proud of the Airmen that worked for me. They were brand new from tech school and they just did everything they could because they saw how hard I was working (in order) to help me out. I think they will be the next superstars,” said Senior Airman Brittany Hayden, 75th Medical Support Squadron.

Hayden, one of two Air Force-level winners recently announced in the 75th Medical Group, took honors as U.S. Air Force Public Health Airman of the Year.

The 75th Medical Group will offer the opportunity to drop off unused or old prescription medication and sharps at the BX and Commissary on Sept. 29.

There are six Smith's pharmacies doing this at off-base locations on the same date and during the same time, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

They include two Bountiful locations, 2390 S. Main St. and 966 S. 200 West; Farmington, 1316 N. Highway 89; Layton, 1170 E. Gentile St.; Sunset, 2353 N. Main St; and Syracuse, 951 W. 1700 South.

The 75th Medical Group will offer the opportunity to drop off unused or old prescription medication and sharps at the BX and Commissary on Sept. 29.

"One of the main concerns is to get old and expired prescriptions out of the cabinets, get them out of the houses so the potential for accidental misuse or abuse is removed," said Staff Sgt. Alexander Fox, 75 MDSS/SGSD.

"It's something we're happy to do for the community to give everyone the opportunity to turn in the medications they are no longer using," said Airman 1st Class Ryan George, 75 MDSS/SGSD.

Leaders come and go in the workplace all the time. It is something those in the Armed Forces get used to. Recently, the 75th Medical Group said goodbye to Col. Don Hickman, its commander, as he re-entered the civilian world. An interview was conducted with Hickman before his departure. What follows is an excerpt from that interview:

Under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986, all military medical treatment facilities are mandated to bill health insurance carriers for the cost of medical care provided to active duty family members, retirees and family members who are covered by other health insurance. The 75th Medical Group (75 MDG) Clinic must comply with this law and needs your help for continued program success.

The Hill Air Force Base Drug Take-Back event held April 28 took a total of 168 pounds of expired or unneeded medication out of circulation, said Staff Sgt. Iesha Edwards, 75th Medical Support Squadron. "Of that total, 18 pounds were controlled narcotics."

As a result, those controlled narcotics -- prescription medications -- are no longer a potential hazard for young children and unauthorized or accidental use.

On March 22, anyone interested is invited to a Speed Mentoring event to help them in their careers.

"How to make the Air Force work for you" could become a topic of paramount interest in the near future and the event offers the opportunity to answer those questions.

Such answers are often on the minds of those who mentor Airmen, and the event is meant to help fill in those knowledge gaps for Airmen and those who mentor them.

At the recent 75th Air Base Wing Annual Awards ceremony I experienced another great example of Wingmanship and "Excellence in All We Do." I'm sharing this story and some leadership lessons that are relevant today. Read to the end and you'll discover the name of my newest Wingman.

"If you see a piece of trash, pick it up" -- in my role as the 75th Medical Group commander, I discuss this simple and powerful phrase with all my new employees at the monthly group newcomers training. At this training I randomly select new employees to tell me what the phrase means to them.

Lt. Cols. Bradley Nielsen and Kerry Hesselrode addressed a large crowd at Warrior Call on Nov. 18 on "Critical Care Air Transport Team Evolution, Revolution, Execution and Experience."