Capt Andrea Perez, USAF, Nurse Corps assigned to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) was recognized for her role on the Critical Care Air Transport Team (CCATTeam) and being that "extraordinary" nurse. A CCAT certified nurse, Capt Perez is the only CCAT nurse with specific PICU experience. As a result, Capt Perez has gone on 7 CCAT missions of which 4 were in the last 6 weeks. Since there is no call schedule for the pediatric CCAT mission, Capt Perez must and does respond within less than 24-hour notice.
Capt Perez's team members give her credit for total success on 2 of the pediatric missions. Capt Perez's CCAT team members speak very highly of her ability to respond to emergent situations, caring for the patient and the patient's mom, and ensuring all equipment and supplies are readily available for use. Although these missions are described by the CCATTeam providers as long, grueling, and exhausting, the team recognized Capt Perez as always being the one who remained positive and performed her mission with the utmost competence and grace. MAJ Thomas J. Lee Jr., MD (CCATTeam medical provider) stated, "It is truly a privilege working with Capt Perez. She leads through action, inspiring us all to higher levels of dedication, care, compassion, and self-sacrifice." Capt Perez certainly displays a true and deep level of dedication to the USAF and pediatric care.