GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas-- Service members strive for excellence and many programs are available to aid them advancing their professional development. Senior Airman Angelina Lee, 17th Healthcare Operations Squadron aerospace allergy and immunization technician, is pursuing the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program.
Lee has been serving in the Immunizations Clinic since June, 2021. In that time, she distinguished herself with multiple accomplishments and earned recognition from Air Education and Training Command.
“She’s reliable and is always going above and beyond,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Dianna Karas, 17th HCOS family health flight chief. “She also has a genuine care for everyone she comes across and is always there for her patients.”
Lee mentioned she was working in family health before, and is now the sole allergy and immunizations specialist in the 17th HCOS. According to Karas, She’s known for being one of the sharpest Airmen in the medical group.
She completed allergy and immunizations school ahead of schedule, acted as the interim non-commissioned officer in charge of the Immunizations Clinic, and managed vaccinations for a base population of over eight thousand members. Lee worked closely with 17th HCOS leadership to coordinate and administer over twelve hundred COVID-19 vaccines since July 2021.
She has also led various events, including medication and administration training for the Child and Development Center and Nurse Tech Appreciation Week for over 50 medical personnel.
“I try to learn everything I can in regards to my job and sometimes outside of my normal skillset,” said Lee. “I need to be able to do everything that’s required of me.”
This show of excellence carried over into Lee’s pursuit of higher medical education. She is in the process of acquiring academic prerequisites for application to the Nursing Enlisted Commissioning Program.
“I really want to do NECP and one of the big things I want to do is work in the ER so I can be more interactive with patients,” said Lee. “I like to help people and having the feeling that you’ve supported someone is really motivating and empowering to me.”
NECP gives members the opportunity to achieve a baccalaureate degree in nursing at a college or university with an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.
It also applies to colleges and universities with a “cross-town” agreement, which is a policy that allows members to attend smaller universities while completing AFROTC requirements at larger schools with a host AFROTC detachment.
Upon attaining their degree, Airmen who complete the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX, and receive their nursing license will be commissioned.
According to Lee, her drive for pursuing a medical career was sparked while on a humanitarian trip with her friend.
“When I was in Korea, I went on a medical missions trip to Greece to help the Afghan refugees there. I had no medical background and not being able to help made me sad,” said Lee. “I’ve always wanted to go into the medical field because I want to help people, but that trip really opened my eyes to nursing.”
Lee is regarded by her leadership as an Airman who encompasses the core values in her life, epitomizes integrity, possesses an outstanding work ethic, and emulates steadfast professionalism.