We are so excited to share that due to her exemplary service, the Aaron Redd Award Committee selected Petty Officer Rena Gilbertson as a meritorious recipient of the Aaron Redd Award.
We were compelled by Petty Officer Gilbertson’s vigorous devotion to duty in the Coast Guard and her fearless acceptance of new challenges. She serves in Kodiak, Alaska at one of the largest clinics with a MEDEVAC mission. In her words, “my training and MEDEVAC experiences in the U.S. Coast Guard has developed my ability to become a skilled healthcare provider for my shipmates, my community, and to be a competent nurse.” Petty Officer Gilbertson was awarded a USCG Achievement Medal for superior performance of duty while serving as Aviation Mission Specialist on 23 February 2019. She aided this MEDEVAC mission in gale force winds and her actions and skill were instrumental in the saving of one life.
When she is not serving alongside her shipmates, Petty Officer Gilbertson volunteers in her community; most recently as a first-line responder at a COVID 19 mobile testing site in Kodiak.
Petty Officer Gilbertson is pursuing a Veteran to Registered Nurse degree at Idaho State University with the goal of becoming a Critical Care Aeromedical Nurse. The Aaron Redd Board of Directors awarded her $1,000 to be applied to her tuition. We know Aaron would be so proud to count her as a part of his legacy.
Comments