AROUND TINKER: Three from 72nd MDG earn Wildcatter Awards Published July 24, 2015 By 72nd Air Base Wing TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Three members of the 72nd Medical Group were recently honored with Wildcatter Awards. Capt. Kimberly Ranieri, a physician assistant and element leader, has led her team to the implementation of Patient-Centered Medical Home in care of 3,600 patients. Her leadership has enabled the 72nd Medical Group to exceed their business plan target by 3 percent and cut the urgent civilian care appointments by 45 percent. Captain Ranieri's leadership has proven invaluable as the access to care standards surpassed the Air Force standard in November 2014 by 6 percent; the first in three years. She has been a driving force for the Physician Assistant shadow program and has volunteered more than 30 hours to mentor three students through a commissioning program. Captain Ranieri's dedication doesn't stop at the 72nd MDG, earlier this year, she spearheaded a community project supplying $2,000 in cold weather supplies and children's toys to the Oklahoma City shelters. Senior Airman Jacob Barth, a dental oral preventive assistant with the 72nd Dental Squadron, takes pride in his job, skilfully treating 220 patients, propelling the wing's overall dental readiness rate to an outstanding 98 percent -- No. 1 in Air Force Materiel Command. This resulted in the squadron cinching more than 5,500 appointments, generating $1.4 million in revenue. Airman Barth is consistently recognized by his patients for outstanding customer service. He receives approximately 40 positive customer service comment cards every quarter. He was recognized by Medical Group leadership and received the MDG Individual Customer service award. Airman Barth selflessly dedicated his time to the Regional Food Bank, packing more than 1,000 pounds of food, ensuring meals for 2,000 less fortunate locals. Rusty Turner, a Diagnostic Imaging technologist with the 72nd MDG since November 2008, has been a sole source of continuity for the Diagnostic Imaging element, as techs have come and gone. He has taken on and maintained flawless HAZCOM, Safety and Quality Control programs. Mr. Turner has also been pivotal in the MDG/VA Magnetic Resonance Imaging Joint Venture, propelling $134,000 savings in the first month in MRI referrals to VA/OKC. Mr. Turner provides insight and guidance for all MRI exam orders for the provider staff of the 72nd MDG as well at network providers. His expertise allowed for the quick processing, imaging and interpretation of 1,130 MRIs in the last half of 2014. He has also been essential in training and mentoring new Airmen into the DI flight, establishing image quality standards, strengthening the future technologists in the 4R0X1 career field.