97 MDG Mental Health Commander Wins 2018 PACE Award

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Breanna Klemm
  • Altus Air Force Base Public Affairs
U.S. Air Force Maj. Kamy Jenkins, the 97th Medical Group Mental Health Flight Command Chief, received the 2018 Profession of Arms Center of Excellence Impact Award, April 2019.

The PACE Award recognizes individuals who have established programs that have a positive impact on their organization while strengthening the Air Force’s professional culture.

“I consider this award to be very important because it helps build a culture of trust and supports a positive workplace,” said Jenkins. “It builds trust in my personnel and motivates them to do their best every day in support of the mission.”

Individuals who submit application packages for the award are judged on a variety of elements, including their ability to establish practices that empower decision-making at the lowest level.

Having a risk-accepting mentality and understanding that everyone is responsible for the development of others is a key component of the PACE organization.

Jenkins said her involvement within the Mental Health Clinic and constant efforts toward supporting the mission of taking care of the Airmen of Altus helped her earn this accomplishment.

As part of her responsibilities, Jenkins oversees all of the operations of the Mental Health Clinic which encompasses the Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment, or ADAPT, and Family Advocacy programs. She is constantly involved in the improvement of these programs and strives to increase the well-being of others.

“It’s a true honor to be a part of the 18 winners of the PACE award, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of those I work with on a daily basis,” said Jenkins. “Without their letters of support, the award would not have been possible.”

As part of her involvement within the clinic, Maj. Jenkins strives toward spreading the word about mental health’s growing concerns within the military. This is especially important during Mental Health Awareness Month, observed every May.

“Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to reflect on our own mental health awareness,” said Jenkins. “No one is immune to experiencing mental health conditions such as depression and/or anxiety, and it is very likely that sometime during our lifetime, any one of us will have to deal with a mental health condition of our own.”

With these realities in mind, Jenkins runs multiple programs and places mental health as one of her main priorities, which helped her achieve the 2018 PACE award.

“The enemy wants nothing more than to break us down from within,” said Jenkins. “Prevention is key to being happy, healthy and securing our future.”

The enemy is not only found on the battlefield; for some, the enemy can be ourselves. Mental health is a concern for many military members and dependents and the 97th MDG Mental Health Clinic wants to ensure that all Airmen are mentally, and physically, fit to fight.