Chief Master Sgt. Dawn M. Kolczynski serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader, Operations, Plans, and Training (J-3/5/7), Defense Health Agency, Falls Church, Virginia. She is responsible for providing enlisted oversight and guidance for the integration of military and civilian health care delivery for the Military Health System in support of readiness and peacetime missions, ensuring DHA operational support to military hospitals and clinics, combatant commands, the Joint Staff, and the services, to guarantee a medically ready force and ready medical force. Additionally, Kolczynski is the Personal Advisor to the commander of the DHA’s Air Force element on all issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale, and proper utilization and progression for the 362 airmen delivering support and expertise across 14 geographically separated units.
Her professional background includes various duties in Bioenvironmental Engineering, Section Chief, Plans and Programs and a four-year assignment with NATO as the Superintendent, Safety and Health Branch, where she developed and executed safety and health plans for HQ AIRCOM, Joint Force Air Component, and NATO Response Force, ensuring stringent compliance with host nation safety and health directives. She also served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Unified Protector, and Operation Enduring Freedom as Theater Bioenvironmental Engineering Functional Manager, Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Air Force Central Command. Prior to her current position, Kolczynski served as the Chief, Medical Enlisted Forces, Office of the Air Force Surgeon General.
She holds an associate degree in Bioenvironmental Engineering Technology from the Community College of the Air Force, and a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University.
Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (five oak leaf clusters), the Air Force Commendation Medal (four oak leaf clusters), Air Force Achievement Medal (three oak leaf clusters), and the NATO Medal.