The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) proudly awards retired Air Force Lt. Col. Ruth Sylvester and retired Navy Cmdr. Jerry Holmberg with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Both Sylvester and Holmberg have had distinguished military careers, leaving a long-lasting impact on the military banking community. Sylvester has more than 40 years of experience in both clinical laboratories and blood banks, specializing in troubleshooting and improving operations. Holmberg has more than 43 years of experience in all areas of laboratory medicine with a concentration on blood bank operations, research, education and policy.
Established in 2009, the Lifetime Achievement Award has since recognized those who exemplify tireless dedication to the military blood program. Each year, the ASBP awards individuals whose accomplishments have had a transformative effect on blood banking in the military.
“It is my honor to recognize Lt. Col. Sylvester and Cmdr. Holmberg with the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award,” Navy Capt. Roland Fahie, ASBP director, says. “These two have made great contributions to military blood banking and their accomplishments have truly helped the ASBP save countless lives.”
Since 1962, the Armed Services Blood Program has served as the sole provider of blood for the United States military. As a tri-service organization, the ASBP collects, processes, stores and distributes blood and blood products to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and their families worldwide. As one of four national blood collection organizations trusted to ensure the nation has a safe, potent blood supply, the ASBP works closely with our civilian counterparts by sharing donors on military installations where there are no military blood collection centers and by sharing blood products in times of need to maximize availability of this national treasure. Read more about the ASBP.
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