by Rudy Purificato
Armstrong Laboratory
Brooks AFB, TX
Photo by SrA. Billy Arrowood
“Seeing may be believing” the old saying goes, but for a career Air Force audiologist hearing words of thanks from a four-star general was “like sweet music to her ears.”
Last week, Air Force Materiel Command commander Gen. George T. Babbitt presented Capt. Karen L. Agres with the Air Forces version of an Academy Award: the 1996 Outstanding U.S. Air Force Audiologist of the Year Award.
Agres, chief of Operational Medical Requirements Analysis for the Human Systems Centers (HSC) Planning Directorate, accepted the award on behalf of her HSC colleagues and fellow audiologists world-wide.
“This is an award made possible by my colleagues in XR and fellow audiologists,” said Agres. “I accept it with pride and honor, not for my own accomplishments, but for those of my co-workers.”
The annual award recognizes an Air Force civilian or military audiologist for outstanding professional achievements that significantly contribute to the enhancement of the Medical Service and audiology profession.
Since assuming her current position in December 1995, Agres has assisted the Air Force Surgeon General in long-range medical development planning in support of medical systems modernization.
One of her many accomplishments includes working with HSCs Operational Medical Support to promote the Simulated Inflight Hearing (SCONE) test that potentially will help save the Air Force thousands of dollars and increase pilot retention.
Born in Portland, OR, Agres enlisted in the Air Force in 1975 and served for over five years as an accounting and finance specialist.
She left active duty to earn bachelor and masters’ degrees in audiology from California State University. In 1991, she received a direct commission in the Air Force Biomedical Science Corps.
Her officer assignments include service as a staff audiologist at Lackland AFBs Wilford Hall Medical Center and as chief of audiology services at RAF Lakenheath, England.
Prior to winning the Air Force-level award, Agres became the first recipient of the Air Force Materiel Commands Audiologist of the Year Award. Says Agres, “This is the third year there has been an Air Force-level award that recognizes the audiologist of the year.” There is no DOD-level award for audiologists.
In addition to receiving a plaque, Agres is authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon.
Special thanks to Mr. Purificato and SrA Arrowood for allowing us to re-post their article which originally appeared in the Brooks AFB, TX base newspaper Discovery.