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DGMC specialist recognized for safety

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  • By Jim Spellman
  • 60thAir Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Sean Zortman, 60th Medical Group safety and occupational health specialist at David Grant USAF Medical Center, was recently recognized by the National Safety Council as one of forty Rising Stars of Safety during a ceremony presented by DuPont Sustainable Solutions in Chicago earlier this month. The civilian Golden Bear was selected from more than 110 nominees for the coveted spot.

For the past six years, Zortman's day-to-day duties include hazard identification, hazard control, surveillance for compliance with safety regulations and standards, safety training, mishap investigations and reporting from the Air Force's flagship medical center. His everyday roles have supported the sustainment of the Voluntary Protection Program at DGMC, which is one of 13 hospitals nationwide and only two within the Department of Defense to be awarded Star status.

"We have maintained our VPP star status by not only ensuring compliance with Air Force Instructions, general industry standards and fire codes, but our safety office assists the medical facility to promote continuous and innovative ways to enhance training, support employee involvement and effectively prevent and control hazards, all of which are key elements to the VPP," Zortman said.

"Sean volunteered his off-duty time to educate 200-plus military members and families on fire prevention measures during Fire Prevention Week," said Janet Froetscher, National Safety Council president and CEO, during the award presentation at the NSC Congress and Expo. "He conducted 25 hands-on extinguisher and fire prevention training sessions for 450-plus staff. His efforts enhanced the hospital's fire prevention program and instilled safety awareness amongst his peers."

The NSC Rising Stars of Safety program honors leaders of tomorrow for their commitment to safety, influence on safety culture, promotion of continuous workplace safety improvement and creation of safety initiatives that produce measurable outcomes, the foundational pillars of the council's Journey to Safety Excellence. Strong safety cultures require safety to be acknowledged as everyone's responsibility within an organization.

"The NSC is an amazing organization that has impacted the world. The NSC continuously strives to create and establish ways to prevent injuries and save lives, both on and off duty," said Zortman. "NSC members, its supporting base of corporations and organizations and fellow award recipients are the best at what they do and have an unmatched passion to make a difference in safety, each and every day. The experience (of being honored) was most humbling."

Zortman pointed out the various opportunities he has had to learn various fields of safety by working with many knowledgeable individuals while at DGMC.

"My most significant mentor over the years has been my former supervisor, Margaret Banks, who recently retired after 30 years of service," he said. "In addition to safety and health education, Banks has been a mentor and friend by providing me guidance in a variety of circumstances, to include life challenges."

Zortman plans to continue taking advantage of educational opportunities in the years ahead.

"I look forward to the challenges of a management role and also collaborating with my new peers in the NSC," he said.