CDR Bertholet Eugene is a senior flight nurse in the IHSC Special Operations Unit (ISOU). CDR Eugene has demonstrated unwavering dedication to providing humanitarian care even in challenging and unpredictable environments. His leadership extends beyond the day-to-day flight operations; he fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and lifelong learning among his staff.

CDR Eugene has been the de facto deputy unit chief the past 18 months and often serves as the acting unit chief. He mentors and trains new staff and serves as the lead reviewer for the unit’s 21 different programs. CDR Eugene has been instrumental in implementing critical safety and quality improvement initiatives. To ensure continuity of care and establish a consistent clinical standard, CDR Eugene created a flight safety checklist and a training and evaluation program for all 12 nurses on the team.

This initiative led to a standardized process of performing aircraft emergency safety checks and providing patients with high-quality care. His training and evaluation program document was instrumental in increasing unit morale by establishing consistent protocols and improving communication among team members. His commitment to best practices has resulted in enhanced patient care, improved efficiency, and stronger team cohesion.

In the past 2 years, CDR Eugene has collaborated with federal agencies and foreign officials to help the unit safely transport over 5,000 patients around the world. For his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to his team, CDR Eugene is the recipient of the PHS DAISY Nurse Leader Award.