Madigan NCO of the Year inducted into Sergeant Audie Murphy Club

Story by: Madigan Strategic Communication

Photo by: Jay Ebbeson

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Williams, president of Madigan Healthcare System's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club congratulates Staff Sgt. John Ahern.

Leadership by example was personified during Madigan Healthcare System's Sergeant Audie Murphy Club induction ceremony held May 23 as Staff Sgt. John Ahern became its newest member.

During the ceremony, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Williams, SAMC president said upon the presentation of the SAMC medallion that is affixed to an infantry-blue ribbon to Ahern, "do not just be a medallion holder, but lead from the front and continue to give back."

Leading from the front and giving back is just part of Staff Sgt. Ahern's professional traits, but his resume is even more impressive. Being inducted into SAMC is Ahern's latest accomplishment. Earlier this year, Ahern secured the 2012 Madigan Non Commissioned Officer of the Year honor and last month won the Western Regional Medical Command's Best Warrior Competition. He will be representing Madigan and WRMC in the U.S. Army Medical Command Best Warrior Competition set for next month at Fort Sam Houston, Tx. And since being idle is not in his vocabulary, Staff Sgt. Ahern earned the Expert Field Medical Badge in early May as well.

When not competing, the Rhode Island native is busy taking care of business as the non commissioned officer in charge of hematology in Madigan's Department of Pathology.

"I am deeply humbled and sincerely honored," said the 27-year old Ahern during the ceremony.

"Staff Sgt. Ahern is a true leader of Soldiers,” said Command Sgt. Major David Rogers, Troop Battalion command sergeant major. "He is a holistic Soldier who has a positive impact on his Soldiers, his Family, his unit and the local community.”

Ahern and son Robert are off to Fort Jackson, S.C., to see wife and mom Monica graduate from drill sergeant school on the last day of May.