By PA2 Tasha Peters,  PADET St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Coast Guard recently selected two members from the Seventh District as the Health Services Technicians of the Year 2004, ashore and afloat, for their devotion to duty and exceptional performance.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Herman S. Clincy, stationed at Sector St. Petersburg’s medical clinic, was awarded the Health Services Technician of the Year Award (ashore unit). Petty Officer 2nd Class Abner Ayala, stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous, homeported in St. Petersburg, was awarded the Health Services Technician of the Year Award (afloat unit).

Clincy assists the clinic administrator in the daily operation of Sector St. Petersburg’s medical clinic, which is responsible for the routine care and record maintenance of more than 600 active duty and reserve patients. Clincy administers immunizations, conducts physical exams and performs minor surgical procedures in addition to managing normal clinic operations. Clincy is a native of Jackson, Miss., and has been assigned to Sector St. Petersburg since the summer of 2003.

ST. PETERSBURG. Fla. -- Petty Officer 2nd Class Herman Clincy examines the throat of Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandy Mock during a routine exam. Clincy earned the Health Services Technician of the Year award ashore for 2004 for his work at the Sector St. Petersburg Medical Clinic. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA2 Tasha Peters.

“It’s nice to be recognized, but that’s not why I do this job,” said Clincy. “It’s about taking care of my shipmates.”

Ayala serves as Venturous’ independent duty health services technician and is primarily responsible for the medical care of the cutter’s 80-person crew. In addition, his keen medical knowledge is repeatedly needed for the care of undocumented Dominican Republic and Cuban migrants rescued during Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations (AMIO) patrols. These migrants are in varying states of health when interdicted at sea, often having spent several days in open boats without food or water. Ayala also serves as one of the primary Spanish interpreters aboard Venturous, a critical role during AMIO. Ayala is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has been assigned to Venturous since the summer of 2003.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Abner Ayala checks the vital signs of crewmember Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Fogarty aboard the CGC Venturous. Ayala earned the 2004 Health Services Technician of the Year award afloat for his work aboard the Venturous. U.S. Coast Guard photo by PA2 Tasha Peters.

“I’m proud that I earned this award because it shows my devotion to the crew,” said Ayala. “I just try to do my best and meet the requirements of the mission. I treat people the way I would like to be treated, and it is personally fulfilling to be recognized for it.”

This is the third consecutive year that Coast Guard members from Sector St. Petersburg or Venturous have earned the Health Services Technician of the Year Award. Petty Officer 1st Class Kevin Cronin, currently stationed at Sector St. Petersburg, took home the award (ashore) in 2003 for his work at the sector’s clinic. Chief Petty Officer Glenn Royes, currently an instructor in Petaluma, Calif., received the award (afloat) in 2002 for his work on Venturous.

Clincy and Ayala are also nominated for the Lewis Seaman Award for outstanding operational support. This is an annual award for enlisted personnel presented by the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. 

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