American Indian/Alaska Native Commissioned Officer Advisory Committee Award Descriptions and Recipients

AI/ANCOAC Awards Nomination Packet

Elizabeth Peratrovich Leadership Award

The American Indian Alaska Native Commissioned Officer Advisory Committee (AIANCOAC) National Leadership Award was established to recognize any ranking officer who has made significant contributions fostering the goals of the AIANCOAC and enhancing the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives. This award is presented for sustained high quality performance in an administrative or clinical capacity that has resulted in accomplishing a program’s mission at the agency, tribal and/or national level.

This award is named after Elizabeth Peratrovich (Tlingit nation). She was an important civil rights activist; she worked on behalf of equality for Alaska Natives. In the 1940s, she was credited with advocacy that gained the passage of the territory’s Anti-Discrimination Act of 1995, the first anti-discrimination law in the United States.

Annie Dodge Wauneka Award (may be Individual or Group award)

The Annie Dodge Wauneka Award was established to recognize any ranking officer who has demonstrated significant contributions in fostering the goals of the AIANCOAC and enhancing the health of American Indians and Alaska Natives at the local level. This award is presented for sustained high quality excellence in accomplishing a program’s mission performing community based responsibilities at the agency level.

This award, named after Annie Dodge Wauneka from the Dine’ (Navajo) Nation, commemorates her community health achievements. As the first woman ever elected to the Dine’ Tribal Council, Dr. Wauneka served as a Tribal Council Delegate from her district for over 25 years. She served as Chairperson of the Tribal Council's Health Committee from

1951 to 1963 and was instrumental in the establishment of the Health Board and health care services such as Community Health Representatives. In 1956, Dr. Wauneka was one of three American Indians appointed to the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory Committee on Indian Health. Throughout her life, Dr. Wauneka has been an advocate for health care and the improvement of health care services for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

George Blue Spruce Jr. Flag Officer Award 

The Flag Officer Award is presented to a flag rank officer (grade 0-7 to 0-10) for continuous outstanding leadership in carrying out the mission of the PHS. Noteworthy accomplishments in the performance of a single act which had a major effect on the health of the American Indian/Alaskan Native population; or, performance of a heroic act resulting in the preservation to health or property are recognized through this award, which is equivalent to the PHS Commendation Medal.

This award is named after RADM George Blue Spruce Jr. He is recognized as the first American Indian Dentist in the United States. His life story reaches back to the ancient Pueblo culture cherished by his grandparents and parents and extends to state-of-the-art dentistry and the current needs of the American Indian people.   He obtained a Master’s degree in Health Care Management from the University of California at Berkeley and, after years of hard work, he reached the zenith of his career as an Assistant Surgeon General.

Dr. Taylor McKenzie Senior Officer Award

The Senior Officer Award is presented to a senior officer (grade O-5 to O-6) who has achieved a level of proficiency and dedication distinctively greater than that which is expected of the average officer. Noteworthy accomplishments in scientific, administrative or other professional field work; application of unique skills or creative imagination to resolve complex problems; or, technical and professional contributions that are significant to a limited area are recognized through this award, which is equivalent to the PHS Achievement Medal.

This award is named after Taylor McKenzie (1931 – April 13, 2007) was the first Navajo medical doctor (since 1958), the Vice President of the Navajo Nation (1999–2003, under Kelsey A. Begaye), and the first Navajo Nation Chief Medical Officer (since 2006). He studied medicine at the Baylor University School of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

Junior Officer Award

The Junior Officer Award is presented to a junior officer (grade O-1 to O-4) for excellence in accomplishing the program’s mission. Noteworthy accomplishments  advancing program objectives; sustaining above average dedication to duty; or accomplishing a program objective or high quality achievement over a relatively short  (30-45 days) are recognized through this award, which is equivalent to the PHS Citation.