A member of the Medical Department Activity-Alaska operations section has received the Capt. John R. Teal Leadership Civilian Award for 2020.

Ms. Melissa Delgado-DeWaele, operations specialist, received the Department of the Army award for her impact and leadership within MEDDAC-AK.

October 23, 2003, serving as a brigade medical planner in the 4th Infantry Division, Capt. John R. Teal was the first Medical Service Corps officer killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In his memory, the Capt. John R. Teal Leadership award recognizes medical professionals serving in key operational positions who have made significant contributions to the Army and Army Medical Department mission in an exceptionally outstanding manner.

Delgado-Dewaele, who has been a member of the operations team since 2019, has demonstrated leadership and an ability to be innovative while using technical skills to streamline operations and improve outcomes at MEDDAC-AK, said Lt. Col. Jeff Wyatt, MEDDAC-AK chief of operations.

“Melissa took ownership of tasking and made remarkable improvements in compliance metrics,” said Wyatt. “Her efforts to design and champion a new tasker tracking matrix led to a 28% increase in suspense compliance in under four months. This growth resulted in 100% tasker compliance.”

In the nomination memo, Delgado-DeWaele was also recognized as the organization’s subject matter expert for the Defense Training Management System.

“Upon modifying in-processing operations for newly assigned staff and then training section and department DTMS managers on these modifications, the organization had a 23% overall increase in accurate documentation of command directed training,” said Wyatt.

Overall, Delgado-DeWaele was lauded for her expertise and commitment to the Army Civilian Corps.

“Melissa epitomizes professionalism and is the consummate steward of the Army Civilian Corps,” said Wyatt. “Her valuable contributions as a Department of the Army Civilian is key in helping the organization realize the commander’s mission and vision.”

When notified of the award Delgado-DeWaele shared the success with her department.

“I am honored to be chosen for this award but I couldn’t have done any of this without the support and guidance of my knowledgeable and hard-working teammates,” said Delgado-DeWaele. “The MEDDAC-Alaska Operations Team is one of a kind and I am lucky to be a part of it.”