Financial officer earns top honors for leadership, health care contributions Published May 20, 2015 By Staff Sgt Jason Huddleston 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- Air Force American College of Healthcare Executives recently lauded the contributions, leadership ability and executive capability of the 59th Medical Wing Financial Officer.Lt. Col. Craig Keyes earned the Air Force ACHE Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award recognizing the service's best ACHE board-certified lieutenant colonel, chief master sergeant or senior master sergeant. Award winners must have served as a squadron commander, SGA hospital or clinic administrator, aeromedical evacuation squadron director of operations, headquarters branch chief, or an enlisted position of similar executive-level responsibilities.For Keyes, the award recognizes more than his individual accomplishments."This award is a reflection of the teamwork and strong emphasis on quality and performance improvement in the 59th MDW. It is just one of many affirmations of the high-quality service Air Force medics provide to the military community in San Antonio," he said.ACHE is an international professional society of more than 40,000 health care executives who lead hospitals, health care systems and other health care organizations. ACHE's established network of 80 chapters provides access to networking, education and career development at the local level.In advancing members and health care, ACHE honors leaders with awards to recognize contributions and achievements."I was a member of the Air Force Regents Advisory Council which enabled me to work on a couple projects for Air Force ACHE members," Keyes said."(Earning this award) was a combination of good timing and long hours, as my division did very well on major inspections, completing several quality improvement projects."The Air Force currently has 546 ACHE members, including 170 fellows who have earned the distinction of board certification in health care management. The Air Force ACHE selects the winner of the Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Award winner from the service's fellows who are recognized for their professionalism, ethical decision making, competence, leadership and commitment to lifelong learning, according to the ACHE website."Air Force units can never be complacent with their work. We always need to be improving and adding value to the outcomes of our respective responsibilities," Keyes said.