319th Medical Group Airmen Receive AMC Awards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bonnie Grantham
  • 319th Air Base Wing public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Two Airmen from the 319th Medical Group here were recently named among the best by Air Mobility Command in their respective career fields.

Senior Airman Nathaniel Beiter, 319th Medical Support Squadron medical lab technician, was named AMC Laboratory Airman of the Year.

"This is definitely a milestone in my career," said Beiter. "There are more important things than awards, but it's definitely nice to be recognized."

Outside of the office, Beiter said he is the secretary of Airmen Against Drunk Driving, and he volunteers frequently at the Ralph Engelstad Arena to help with concessions at events. He also has his national certification to help further him in his career.

"I could not ask to supervise a better Airman," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, 319th MDSS laboratory technician and Beiter's supervisor. "Beiter consistently operates at a level far beyond what is asked of him. No matter the challenge, he is the guy you go to when you want to get things done."

Despite his hard work in and out of the job, Beiter believes this award wouldn't have been possible without the help of his colleagues.

"It's not just my efforts that won this award," Beiter said. "It's everybody else's that helped me get this award."

Beiter said the next step in his career will be testing for staff sergeant this year.
Another Airman from the 319th Medical Operations Squadron, Capt. (Dr.) Kevin Kemarly, deputy flight commander of the dental flight, received the AMC Clinical Dentist of the Year award.

"It's quite a shock and quite an honor," said Kemarly. "It's always a good sign when hard work gets recognized."

Kemarly, like Beiter, said the award was a team effort, and stands to recognize the entire unit.

"This award is possible because of everyone whose name is not on it," said Kemarly. "Our clinic does not work because of the dentists, but because of everyone else who helps out."

As one of three clinical dentists on the base, Kemarly is ranked the top clinical provider with a 99 percent annual patient satisfaction rating.

The awards that Beiter and Kemarly received serve as a visual representation of the hard work of the 319th Medical Group as a whole.

"The medical group does a great job of supporting the Warriors of the North, and it's exciting to see Kemarly and Beiter receive command recognition for their outstanding contributions," said Col. Paul Smith, 319th MDG commander. "I, and the rest of the med group, wish them the best as they represent AMC at the Air Force level."

Both Airmen expressed modesty in receiving their awards, but also agree that excellence in all you do is the key to success.

"Do what needs to be done. Don't focus on the outcome; focus on the experience," said Kemarly. "In every experience, there's something to be learned and gained. Just get out there and follow excellence in all you do."