Dr. Eric Easey, a member and head elder of the Bazine Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kansas, was recently honored with the 2024 Air National Guard Field Grade Physician of the Year award. This national recognition is given each year to just one physician across the entire Air National Guard.
Pastor Mike Bremer, who pastors the Bazine, Hays, and La Crosse district, shared the exciting news. “While he was on his weekend drill training in May, two representatives from Washington, D.C., presented him with the award. Congratulations Dr. Easey!” said Pastor Bremer.
The Field Grade Physician of the Year award is highly competitive. Each of the 89 Air National Guard units submits a nomination to the National Guard Bureau in Washington, D.C. A panel then reviews these nominations and selects the most deserving candidate. To qualify, a physician must hold the rank of major, lieutenant colonel, or colonel. Judges consider the number of medical exams provided, personal awards and medals, annual performance reports, and whether the physician has deployed, including how long.
From October 2023 to April 2024, Major Easey deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Forces. During this time, he provided care to over 2,000 military personnel and took part in a mass casualty response after a Class 1 aircraft mishap. For his work during this deployment, he received both the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air and Space Achievement Medal.
Major Easey serves as a flight surgeon for the 117th Air Refueling Squadron Medical Element and the 190th Medical Group at Forbes Field Air National Guard Base in Topeka, Kansas. He also leads laboratory services for the unit. His entire 14-year military career has been with the 190th Medical Group. He first joined in 2011 as a Medical Service Corps Officer. After completing medical school and a family medicine residency, he became a flight surgeon in 2022.
In addition to his military service, Major Easey works as a rural family medicine physician in Ness County, Kansas. There, he cares for patients in the clinic, emergency room, acute care, swing bed, and long-term care. He also serves as Chief of the Medical Staff at Ness County Hospital, medical director for Ness County EMS, NCH lab director, and medical director of Cedar Village Long-term Care.
Major Easey and his wife, Maidellyn, have been married for 22 years. They have twin boys who will turn 19 this August and who will be attending Southwestern Adventist University.
“God has blessed me with multiple opportunities to serve Him and to serve our nation,” said Major Easey. “Receiving a national award for simply going where He sends me is humbling.”
His story stands as an example of dedication and service, both to his country and to his faith community.
