As Colonel Connie Winik retires from the U.S. Air Force with over 23 years of service it is my distinct pleasure to nominate her for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement award for the contributions to the profession of nursing along with special focus towards the improvement of military nursing practice, professionalism, preparing future leaders, and supporting and performing nursing research relevant to our population.

July 2021 – Present      
As the Chief Nurse, 959 MDG, Brooks Army Medical Center, JBSA-FSH, TX she provided oversight of 
the nursing practice of 730 Air Force Total Nursing Force personnel in delivery of $74 million worth of 
healthcare to 370K beneficiaries annually. She supported executive team's strategic planning & resource
management to enable a robust deployment tempo for 24 Unit Type Codes. She coordinated with Army
leadership in the management nursing operation in adhering to Joint Commission and Health Administration 
standards.

Col Winik drove manning for the wing’s largest group, managed 363 nursing authorizations, enabled staffing for 40 units, maximized operations for a 300-bed hospital during 2 COVID surges. She directed the on boarding of 75 nurses & 48 new accessions, coordinated with 6 Dept Chiefs to maximize staffing to support 24/7 nursing ops for a 425-bed facility. Col Winik managed the NC’s largest Nurse Residency Program, upgrading 45 nurses to fully qualified, bolstering the AFs 46N career field while ensuring a seamless transition to practice.  As the Nurse Residency Course Medical Director, she oversaw 15 Performance Improvement projects presented to nursing leaders for future implementation. She obtained conditional releases from AFPC for 14 nurses to cross train; she mentored the candidates through the application process, enabled the fill of 4 critically low NC AFSCs. She fixed a training gap by obtaining approval of a secondary training, increasing the resources for NC for trauma training to improve AF medical readiness posture. Col Winik guided 310 officers’ careers, her counseling/CN endorsements secured 20 AFIT slots & 5 SG specialty consultants, 3 Sq CC/4 CN match. Connie created a briefing overviewing officer performance briefs/writing performance statements, prepared 80 joint service members.  She championed professional development, guiding two Grp Commanders Leadership sessions on competing for command, which primed 50 FGOs for Squadron CC selection. She supported the CGO council by arranging a Q&A panel of 3 O-6 nursing officers to discuss career development and leadership opportunities, prepping 25 CGOs for future nursing leadership roles.


Sep 2018 – July 2021      

As the Chief Nurse, 86th Medical Squadron, Landstuhl, Germany she provided oversight of the nursing practice of 150 Air Force Total Nursing Force personnel in delivery of $49 million worth of healthcare to 235K beneficiaries, coordinated with Army leadership in the management nursing operation in adhering to Joint Commission, Regional Health Care Europe and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. During this period, Colonel Winik led 355 Air Force Nursing service personnel and coordinated nursing options across forty-three departments, thereby facilitating 274,000 patient encounters and seventy-four million dollars in healthcare services. Additionally, she championed care of the command’s sexual assault survivors by recruiting five providers to safeguard the continual response services for 235,000 beneficiaries across Europe. A stellar educator, Colonel Winik enhanced theater medical contingency preparedness by briefing 150 nursing executive leaders, which amplified interoperability among twenty-six European and African nations. Furthermore, she piloted readiness training and en route critical care nursing programs during an unprecedented period of turmoil, sustaining twenty-three urgent aeromedical evacuations through the global Coronavirus pandemic in support of four combatant commands. Moreover, she cultivated the highest standards of patient safety, which was key to the hospital's 2019 Joint Commission three-year recertification. Finally, her exceptional performance earned her recognition with the Air Force's 2019 Military Health System Senior Nurse Leadership Excellence award and was key to the Group’s 2019 Command Clinic of the Year award.


June 2017 – Sep 2018     

As the Chief Nurse, 559 MDG, JBSA-Lackland, TX she provided oversight of nursing service operations for 20 RNs, 22 LVNs and 52 Medical technicians to provide patient-centered care for a diverse population to include basic trainees, technical school trainees, and foreign military students with 185K patient encounters a year at seven geographically separated facilities.

During this period, Colonel Winik oversaw the practice of 81 nursing service personnel supporting 56 providers in providing care for over 82,000 basic military trainees and technical school and international students delivering 120,000 visits annually at 5 geographically separate facilities.  A life-long learner, she completed an evidence-based practice obesity study, which resulted in the publication of two manuscripts and presentations at two national nursing conferences. Delivering care for 500 wounded warriors, Colonel Winik guided the nursing operations for a 50 bed En-route Patient Staging facility supporting over 150 aeromedical evacuations, critical care air transports and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation missions.  As the Chief Nurse, she established a group-level nurse executive committee and orchestrated the development of a group evidence-based practice nursing council which resulted in the utilization of a traumatic brain injury algorithm, standardizing best practice for over 82,000 Airmen. Constantly pursuing zero preventable harm, Colonel Winik championed highly reliable care via the sustainment of a lower extremity injury protocol that reduced the medical hold population by 50 percent, saving the Air Force 5 million dollars annually.


June 2014 – May 2017    

As the Chief Health Care Integration/Deputy Chief Nurse, 55 MDG, Offutt, AFB, NE, she provided oversight of population health care programs for 28K beneficiaries, partnered with 75 PCMs across medical disciplines to deliver preventive patient care services to patients of all ages. Provided guidance & created innovative systems to optimize demand management and disease prevention strategies.  She supported Chief Nursing in providing oversight of nursing service practice for 51 RNs and 120 Medical Technicians.

During this period, Colonel Winik oversaw the population healthcare programs for 28,000 beneficiaries. As Health Care Integrator, she partnered with 75 Primary Care Managers across a variety of medical disciplines to deliver preventive care services to patients of all ages. Additionally, Colonel Winik drove population health initiatives, increasing diabetic metrics by 120 percent and boosting well-child metrics to the second highest in Air Combat Command. She championed the Exceptional Family Member Program by reviewing 398 cases, screening 1,600 family members, and creating a record one-day turnaround time, resulting in a 25 percent decrease in total man-hours. Furthermore, Colonel Winik served as Chief Nurse for six months, during which she standardized medication administration for 51 nurses. She was integral to the Deployment Health Working Group, reviewing 292 records for duty-limiting conditions and leading her team through the 2015 Unit Effectiveness Inspection, resulting in the award of "Superior Performer." Finally, Colonel Winik developed a clinical practice guideline initiative targeting obesity for six clinics and was selected to present her findings at four national conferences. 


Oct 2009 – June 2014      

As the Director, Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS) Education Branch,
USAFSAM/ETS, Brooks City Base, TX and WPAFB, OH she developed curriculum for C-STARS platforms:
manpower/material assets valued at $6 million. Ensured curriculum aligned with expeditionary doctrine, formal
training standards, and overall needs of the AFMS.  Guaranteed classes supported 10 AFSCs complied with
USAFSAM's Academic Affairs requirements & HQ AFPCs continuing nursing/medical education
requirements. 

During this period, Major Winik led 24 courses, at three level 1 trauma centers with 50 geographically separated
faculties at the Department of Defense’s largest military-civilian training platforms. She acted as the strategic
Readiness Skills Verification advisor to 10 Manpower and Equipment Force Packaging points of contact and to 78
Air Force Surgeon consultants and career field managers.  Major Winik’s keen oversight of course academic
standards resulted in the education of more than 4000 physicians, nurses, and medics representing 10 Air Force
Specialty Codes and 23 separate deployment Unit Type Codes, thus ensuring Readiness Skills Verification
completion.  Additionally, she was sought after as the consultant to the United States Air Force School of Aerospace
Medicine and Air Force Personnel Center Nurse Corps educations on program development, continued nursing
education, and continuing medical education topics.


FORMAL EDUCATION:
2017            Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, IN
            (Received Provost Scholarship for Academic Standing in post-graduate work.)
2008           Masters of Science in Nursing-Nursing Leadership & Management, University of Southern Indiana, 
                    Evansville, IN
2002           Masters in Business Organization Management, University of La Verne, Eielson AFB, AK
1994           Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University,
                    Richmond, VA (Honors Student)
1991           Diploma in Nursing, Riverside School of Professional Nursing, Newport News, VA
                        (Faculty for Excellence in Nursing/Inducted into Stella Whitehead Honor Society)
1983           Certificate of Licensed Practical Nurse, Jefferson Technical College, Steubenville, OH

PME:
2013            Air War College by correspondence
2010            Air Command and Staff College by correspondence
2005            Squadron Officer School in residence
2004           Squadron Officer School by correspondence

CURRENT NATIONAL CERTIFICATION & EXPIRATION DATES: 
Nurse Executive Advanced Board Certification-Expiration date: January 2027

Awards:
2023    David L. Rice Alumni Achievement Award
2019    MHS Nursing Leadership Excellence Award Senior USAF Nurse 
2017     Provost Scholarship for Academic Standing in post-graduate work
2012    NNSDO’s Excellence in Professional Development Educator/Academic Liaison Practice
2012    AFMC Nursing Force Development Nurse of the Year
2010           AFMC Education Nurse of the Year
2005    39 MDG CGO Nurse of the Year
2003    354 MDOS CGO Nurse of the Year