Sandra Espenilla
February 2023
Sandra
Espenilla
,
LPN
Aviation Medicine Clinic
Tripler Army Medical Center
Honolulu
,
HI
United States
Ms. Espenilla stands head-and-shoulder above all others, and her peers would agree. Aviation units throughout the island are accomplishing their mission and exceeding in medical readiness because of Ms. Espenilla's untiring efforts.
Ms. Sandra Espenilla is an LPN in the Aviation Clinic on Wheeler AAF, and she is, by far, the most competent and driven nurse in the Soldier Center Medical Home (SCMH). Ms. Espenilla epitomizes what a nurse should be and do in all her actions and decisions. She is well-admired by patients and colleagues alike and has left an indelible mark on the clinic.
While Ms. Espenilla has worked diligently to get her clinic's HEDIS metrics above 90 percent, as well as occupied the Lead Nurse on occasion, what truly sets her apart from all nurses under the TAMC umbrella is that she specializes in Flight Physicals. No other nurse in the organization can say that have that skill set. And it was all learned on the job over many years. What's more impressive is that she completes an average 2,500 flight physicals a year!
She is the subject matter expert on flight physicals. Her close working relationship with the Flight Surgeons/Physicians' Assistant—and her vast knowledge base—has been instrumental in upgrading the flight physical process. The upgrades she initiated led to quicker submittal times to Aero, and increased efficiency in processing at the Combat Aviation Brigade level. Her initiatives were so profound that she created—and presented—a Process Improvement project that was later enacted in the clinic. Since she is astute in the flight physical process and displays a genuine interest in assisting her contemporaries, she teaches, trains, and orients all the new medics and Flight Surgeons/Physicians' Assistants in the process. All the medical providers are conversant and proficient in conducting flight physicals simply due to Ms. Espenilla's efforts.
While the nurses, medics, and providers in the Aviation Clinic are aware of her super-star qualities like assiduousness and devotion to duty, her patients have left a multitude of endearing accolades expressing their admiration. The following ICE comments are merely a sampling of the abundant commentaries received:
“Sandra did a terrific job getting us through our Flight Physical and making sure our documents were good to go."
“Sandra is awesome!"
“Ms. Sandra Espenilla got me in and got me my packet asap. Fast and polite service, 100% happy with my part 1 flight physical experience this year!"
The Aviation Clinic has an assemblage of medical professionals overseeing the health and wellbeing of an empanelment of 3,000 pilots and crew members from various Active Army and National Guard aviation units throughout Hawaii. Ms. Espenilla stands head-and-shoulder above all others, and her peers would agree. Aviation units throughout the island are accomplishing their mission and exceeding in medical readiness because of Ms. Espenilla's untiring efforts.
Meaningful: Ms. Espenilla makes a difference in her patients' lives daily. Aviation personnel depends on Ms. Espenilla doing her job to ensure they can stay on flight status. Her impact is felt across the entire Aviation ohana on the island!
While Ms. Espenilla has worked diligently to get her clinic's HEDIS metrics above 90 percent, as well as occupied the Lead Nurse on occasion, what truly sets her apart from all nurses under the TAMC umbrella is that she specializes in Flight Physicals. No other nurse in the organization can say that have that skill set. And it was all learned on the job over many years. What's more impressive is that she completes an average 2,500 flight physicals a year!
She is the subject matter expert on flight physicals. Her close working relationship with the Flight Surgeons/Physicians' Assistant—and her vast knowledge base—has been instrumental in upgrading the flight physical process. The upgrades she initiated led to quicker submittal times to Aero, and increased efficiency in processing at the Combat Aviation Brigade level. Her initiatives were so profound that she created—and presented—a Process Improvement project that was later enacted in the clinic. Since she is astute in the flight physical process and displays a genuine interest in assisting her contemporaries, she teaches, trains, and orients all the new medics and Flight Surgeons/Physicians' Assistants in the process. All the medical providers are conversant and proficient in conducting flight physicals simply due to Ms. Espenilla's efforts.
While the nurses, medics, and providers in the Aviation Clinic are aware of her super-star qualities like assiduousness and devotion to duty, her patients have left a multitude of endearing accolades expressing their admiration. The following ICE comments are merely a sampling of the abundant commentaries received:
“Sandra did a terrific job getting us through our Flight Physical and making sure our documents were good to go."
“Sandra is awesome!"
“Ms. Sandra Espenilla got me in and got me my packet asap. Fast and polite service, 100% happy with my part 1 flight physical experience this year!"
The Aviation Clinic has an assemblage of medical professionals overseeing the health and wellbeing of an empanelment of 3,000 pilots and crew members from various Active Army and National Guard aviation units throughout Hawaii. Ms. Espenilla stands head-and-shoulder above all others, and her peers would agree. Aviation units throughout the island are accomplishing their mission and exceeding in medical readiness because of Ms. Espenilla's untiring efforts.
Meaningful: Ms. Espenilla makes a difference in her patients' lives daily. Aviation personnel depends on Ms. Espenilla doing her job to ensure they can stay on flight status. Her impact is felt across the entire Aviation ohana on the island!