Ruthie Barnes is a branch chief for the Base Operational Medicine Clinic at the U.S. School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM). In addition, she acts as an acquisition program manager and leads a team of civilian, contractor, and active-duty employees.

Barnes is co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Civility Working Group at USAFSAM and a representative for the Federal Voting Assistance Program, which helps military and overseas Americans vote.

With her leadership in the Team Wright-Patterson Mentoring Program. Barnes helped direct a podcast for Pride Month, specifically targeted toward addressing LGBTQ issues for service members. Her presentation on women’s equity celebrating women’s suffrage was shared across all of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

During Black History Month, she held a book drive to benefit literacy. Barnes collected and donated 225 books to the Brunner Literacy Center in Dayton, OH, and Clark County Literacy Coalition in Springfield, OH.

Barnes also created groundbreaking training for service members spreading awareness of the prevalence of the Sickle Cell trait in the African-American community.

"When I first learned I was chosen for this esteemed award, I was flabbergasted," she said in her acceptance speech. "But surprise quickly turned to humility. A big thank you to my peers, leadership, my parents, and my loving husband of 43 wonderful years. I will display this award with pride and pay it forward to the next person in our organization.