JOINT BASE LANGELY-EUSTIS –
Quick thinking, attention to detail and a focus on safety earned three Airmen from the 633d Medical Group recognition as Trusted Care Heroes.
Trusted Care, a vision of the Air Force Medical Service, emphasizes building a high-reliability healthcare organization through leadership commitment, a culture of safety, continuous process improvement and patient-centered care; all with the goal of achieving zero harm. The Trusted Care Hero program highlights Airmen who put these principles into practice, turning everyday situations into lifesaving impact.
Airman 1st Class Lane Stone, 633d MDG, optometry technician; Senior Airman Anthony Farrington, 633d MDG, mental health technician; and Airman 1st Class Annjeolina Lopez, 633d MDG, public health technician, were honored for actions that prevented serious health risks and improved patient care.
“The Trusted Care Hero recognition isn’t just about a single action, it’s about building a culture where every Airman feels empowered to speak up, ask questions and prioritize patient safety,” said Glida Cortez, 633d MDG patient safety manager.
At the 633d MDG, safety science training begins on day one. New personnel receive instruction during orientation and are introduced to Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety.
“We have leaders practicing safety science and training Airmen to use safety science and continuous process improvement,” Cortez said. “During onboarding and orientation, we teach TeamSTEPPS so Airmen know how to communicate effectively and advocate for patients.”
“The 633d MDG creates an environment where Airmen feel safe and motivated to speak up, take initiative and contribute to the mission,” Cortez added. “This ultimately leads to improved patient safety, enhanced unit performance and a more resilient and effective fighting force.”
When a patient visited the Optometry Clinic with headaches and vision changes, Stone trusted his instincts. The patient had been seen earlier in the Emergency Department and Urgent Care for high blood pressure, then referred to Optometry for a routine check.
“I could’ve just done the normal screening,” Stone said. “But I listened to his situation, and I felt like more could be done.”
Stone performed additional testing, discovered signs of a more urgent issue and escalated the case. The patient was promptly diagnosed with retinal vein occlusion with macular edema and referred for immediate care to preserve vision.
“I was truly impressed when I learned how Stone, with only 15 months as an optometry technician, managed an acute optometry case,” said Tech Sgt. Justin Marshall, 633d MDG executive assistant. “He demonstrated foresight and critical thinking by anticipating the optometrist’s needs to provide a swift, vision-saving diagnosis.”
“In addition to completing initial testing requested, Stone actively listened to the patient and took the initiative to perform additional specific ancillary testing to evaluate the patient’s ocular health,” Marshall added. “Stone expedited care for the patient, preserving vision and delivering world-class healthcare.”
Just as Stone safeguarded a patient’s vision, Lopez applied Trusted Care principles to deployment readiness. While processing medical clearances, she discovered two deployers headed to a malaria-endemic region had been prescribed the wrong prophylaxis medication and were missing required post-exposure prescriptions.
Lopez quickly alerted her leadership and collaborated with providers to address the issue. She also updated the deployment checklist to clearly outline recommended malaria medications, creating a standardized reference for the medical group.
“Lopez identified gaps in the deployment clearance checklist and training,” Marshall said. “Her attention to detail led to standardized care, ensuring all deployers receive the right medications for their environments.”
While Lopez strengthened patient safety through meticulous oversight, Farrington demonstrated Trusted Care during a joint training exercise.
During the two-week exercise, Farrington was hand-selected to serve as the sole mental health technician supporting the 12th Air Task Force. Recognizing the demands of the mission and high stress levels, he took immediate action when he saw a lack of support.
“When I realized there was a gap in resources, I knew we couldn’t ignore it,” Farrington said. “These Airmen were under a lot of stress, and I wanted to give them tools to cope so they could stay mission ready.”
Farrington worked with four other resiliency trainers to author and deliver an evidence-based, one-hour briefing on stress management, reaching 284 Airmen from four wings and two major commands.
“He actively fostered cohesion, morale and encouraged engagement, a welcome respite from the demanding training schedule,” Marshall said.
“Being recognized is great,” Farrington said. “But for me, it’s about making sure my team, and our patients know that someone’s looking out for them.”
Together, Stone’s initiative, Lopez’s attention to detail and Farrington’s commitment to resiliency show how Airmen across the 633d MDG translate Trusted Care principles into action, protecting patients, strengthening readiness and building trust at every level.
“These Airmen are proof that Trusted Care is more than a slogan,” said Katie Nilson, 633d MDG patient safety manager. “It’s a culture that empowers people to take action, collaborate and continuously look for ways to improve.”
As the 633d MDG continues its mission to deliver trusted, world-class care, leaders emphasize that safety and readiness are inseparable. Every Airman is trained and mentored to identify problems, propose solutions and act when it matters most.