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380AEW Article

AF-level medical education honor awarded to deployed doc

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  A doctor deployed to the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group was recently named the Air Force Physician Educator of the Year.

Maj. (Dr.) Christopher Bunt is deployed from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., where he is the associate residency program director for 70 family medicine residents in the largest military and civilian residency program in the U.S.

The award recognizes outstanding performance by a full-time faculty member who is actively engaged in the medical education of students, residents and fellows.

"I wouldn't have won this award if it weren't for the teachers I've had in my life," Bunt said. "They encouraged me and made me work outside of my comfort zones. So I owe a lot to the people who helped me get where I am today."

Bunt, a Pittsburgh native, developed and implemented techniques to enhance the teaching capabilities of the residency faculty at Offutt and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His goal as the faculty development director is to make sure everyone has the tools and training they need to teach the next generation of doctors.

"In my opinion, if you're a teacher and you've not had assistance to make you a better instructor, then we're not doing our jobs," Bunt said.

Bunt applies his background as a medical educator during regular training sessions at the 380th EMDG, where he is the chief of the medical staff. He's shown members of the staff various techniques to help doctors and nurses give more efficient care to patients.

"He's taught us about doing different kinds of exams so we're better able to prepare the doctors before they see a patient," said Airman 1st Class Paige Hill, deployed from Nellis AFB, Nev. "Eye exams are especially a big deal here, so he showed us how to look for foreign objects. It's made us a lot more efficient."

Col. Kevin Glasz, the 380th EMDG commander, called him a "key member of the team."

"His level of dedication to the education process is amazing," the colonel said. "We're proud of what he's doing for us here and we're lucky to have him on our staff."