Preamble:

The Coast Guard Aviation Association and co-sponsor CAPT Arthur J. French III USPHS (Ret.) awards the Aviation Flight Surgeon of the Year award for the Flight Surgeon who best demonstrates commitment and service to aeromedical medicine and operational support of Coast Guard Aviation.  This year the award is presented to LCDR Jared Rispens of Air Station Clearwater.

Citation:

“For superior performance while serving as Senior Health Services Officer and Flight Surgeon to Air Station Clearwater, FL. As the lead Medical Officer at the CG’s largest and busiest air station from June 2022 to May 2023, LCDR Rispens safeguarded the medical readiness for 31 CG commands in the Central Florida area, which serves approximately 1,400 active duty and reserve personnel. His leadership of three Physician Assistants and 14 enlisted clinic staff preserved access to critical medical care for members and ensured continued mission capability for search and rescue during Hurricane IAN, the deadliest hurricane to strike Florida since 1935. LCDR Rispens stationed medical personnel at the unit’s evacuation site of Palm Beach, FL and embedded EMTs into evacuation aircrews. He then led a reconstitution team to rapidly resume clinic services just 48 hours after storm passage. His efforts prioritized aircrew readiness before, during, and after the storm, which directly contributed to the unit’s ability to rescue 130 people from the destruction. Prioritizing unscheduled medication access for operational crews, LCDR Rispens created a “medical go-bag” program with common prescriptions for deployed aircrews located 644 nm away from home station with no access to medical facilities. This effort has drastically improved readiness of the site at the minimal cost of less than $400 a year. With the utmost care for members, LCDR Rispens sacrificed his personal time to follow-up on hundreds of health issues and intervened on several members in crisis, personally saving their lives. LCDR Rispens’ professionalism and devotion of duty reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Aviation Association.”