22nd AMDS Airman earns spotlight performer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katrina M. Brisbin
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  As a spotlight performer, individuals are chosen by leadership for demonstrating one or more of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander's intents: Foster a culture of excellence ... Develop the next generation of leaders ... Set and achieve goals.

Staff Sgt. Amanda Gidaly, 22nd Aerospace Medicine Squadron dental assistant, was selected as the spotlight performer for the week of Oct. 22 to 26, 2012.

Air Force dental assistants engage in general dental duties such as receiving patients, examining dental records and preparing patients for treatment. As the NCO in charge of her flight's clinical element, Gidaly directs operations for 10 providers and five technicians, balancing $3.1 million in production costs.

"Her keen attention to detail ensures patients are quickly referred for follow-up care to remain deployable," said Master Sgt. Kristy Earls, 22nd AMDS public health flight chief. "This directly impacts the wing individual medical readiness rate and has boosted it to a high of 89 percent, making the 22nd ARW number one of 12 Air Mobility Command bases throughout the past year."

Gidaly has been the Air Force since 2005, and has been at McConnell since December 2011.

Who is the most positive influence in your life and why?
My husband would be the most positive influence in my life; he is my personal motivator, my number one fan and my biggest critic. Really, anyone who can deal with me and my craziness deserves to be recognized.

If you could give advice to a new Airman, what would it be and why?
If I could say one thing to a new Airman, it would be to put 100 percent in every task that you are given, whether it is big or small. We are a small force and we need motivated Airmen that will someday take our place as leaders.

What is one goal that you have already accomplished, or would like to accomplish, during your Air Force career?
One goal that I have accomplished would be completing my requirements for my Community College of the Air Force degree. Although it has taken me a while, it is a great feeling to know that I will be the first person in my family to have a degree. My next short-term goal is to make technical sergeant and my long-term goal is to complete my bachelor's degree in psychology.

Where is the most interesting place you have traveled and why do you feel that way?
The most interesting place that I have been would be New Paltz, N.Y. To most it might be boring, but for me it's the great view of the mountains and all the personalities of my husband's huge family that draws me there.

If you had the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
If I had a chance to meet anyone in the world it would be my grandfather Frank Carter. He passed away before I was born and I think it would be cool to talk with him, even it was for one day.