July 13, 2011 Bariatric surgery study looks at survival impact in older veterans In the first study to compare survival associated with bariatric surgery in mostly male patients, bariatric surgery was not significantly associated with decreased mortality, according to a research study published in the June 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. "At VA, we
July 13, 2011 Air Force drug testing laboratory opens on Lackland Officials with the Headquarters Air Force Drug Testing Laboratory, or HQ AFDTL, opened the doors of their new facility here June 30.HQ AFDTL is the only forensic toxicology drug testing laboratory in the Air Force and one of only six such laboratories in the Department of Defense Drug Demand
July 13, 2011 TRICARE expectant, new parents survey validates review program Patients enrolled in TRICARE's Parent Review program are giving high marks to this outreach. Out of 1,037 completed surveys, the great majority of respondents' comments were positive, expressing appreciation for the email service.More than 2,000 healthy babies are born to military families each
July 13, 2011 Amputee returned to duty After months of surgeries and rehabilitation, continuous physical therapy sessions and a full medical evaluation board an explosive ordnance technician gets to remain an Airman."It's exactly what I've been working so hard for," said Staff Sgt. David Flowers, a seven-year veteran who lost his right
July 8, 2011 Same Day Surgery Unit helps patients feel like new Most people may cringe at the idea of going "under the knife," but the professionals here, at the 374th Surgical Operations Squadron Same Day Surgery Unit, make the surgical process a relatively painless one.The unit is comprised of medical technicians and nurses who work with doctors to form
July 8, 2011 Program offers Airmen, families chance to save lives A Department of Defense program allows Airmen, DoD civilians and their families the chance to save the life of someone in need.The C.W. Bill Young Marrow Donor Program coordinates all of the steps in the life-saving process of voluntary bone marrow donation. The process begins when a member decides
July 8, 2011 Every animal gets one bite: animal bites on JB MDL Approximately 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites result in injuries requiring medical attention. In 2010, New Jersey had a total of 282 positive rabies cases, and for the last five years there has been an average of 17 cases in cats. Joint Base
July 7, 2011 White House reverses policy on condolence letters President Barack Obama and Defense Department officials will send condolence letters to the families of service members who commit suicide in a war zone.The change is in keeping with administration efforts to remove the stigma of mental health treatment, an administration official said on
July 7, 2011 Personnel pennies pay off for Fisher families Pennies paid off for the Lackland Air Force Base Fisher House when Air Force Personnel Center civilian force integration directorate members waged a penny war that raised $800 for the military support organization.The Fisher House Foundation provides free lodging for family members of wounded
July 5, 2011 Airmen successfully medevac Antarctic worker Using night vision equipment and navigating around volcanic ash hazards, a C-17 Globemaster III and crew from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., alongside aeromedical evacuation and critical care air transport team Airmen, successfully evacuated an ailing Antarctic government contractor June 30. The
June 30, 2011 Intrepid Center marks first anniversary A year after its ribbon-cutting ceremony, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence is making a difference in the lives of warfighters suffering traumatic brain injuries and psychological disorders, said Dr. James Kelly, the center's director.The facility, Dr. Kelly said, also is expanding the
June 30, 2011 Investigation nabs 30 Air Force spice users In April, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Det. 114 here completed a two-month Spice-use investigation that resulted in the identification of 30 Airmen. The Airmen, who are assigned to six units within Air Force Materiel Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command, have
June 30, 2011 Macedonian general officially closes MEDCEUR 11 The 2011 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe officially closed during a ceremony here June 15. MEDCEUR, an annual chairman of the joint chiefs of staff-sponsored regional and multilateral exercise, was designed to provide medical training and operational experience in a deployed
June 30, 2011 Shedding blood for my country June 25 marks the 15th anniversary of one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on U.S. Airmen and coalition forces in Saudi Arabia. Most people remember or know the event as the "Khobar Towers bombing." For me, this horrific act is an experience that will be forever etched in my mind and on my body.
June 28, 2011 Air Force doctor receives France’s highest decoration An Air Force doctor whose medical expertise and French language skills were credited with helping save 14 U.S. Sailors' lives after the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000 received France's highest decoration at the French Embassy in Washington June 21.Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Byron L. Hepburn,
June 28, 2011 Memory of Soldier swims with fish Seemingly lost, he turns to steal a glance at a friend, only to reveal his sad puffy eyes and down-turned lips. From behind the glass, the two appear to loaf in a sea of sorrow, as if carrying the memory of a lost brother.Nearly three years old, these fish occupy a small corner off to the side in
June 28, 2011 Deployed surgical team gets troops back to the fight The team moved quickly to fix the broken part - each person anticipating the moves of others and efficiently using tools to get the job done.It might have been a pit crew keeping a car running its best in a weekend NASCAR race, but the prize for members of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group
June 28, 2011 Need reasons to exercise? Is all of this exercise really worth the effort? Can't this be a whole lot easier? When will we be able to keep fit while lounging in the recliner? There are too many days when we are tempted to skip the workout. How many of you have said, "I'll start tomorrow?" How many days ago was yesterday?
June 16, 2011 Multinational students receive training from U.S. medics Thirty-nine students from Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, participated in a Defense Institute for Medical Operations disaster planners course here June 6 to 10. This course was part of the 2011 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe, an annual
June 16, 2011 Dentist follows diverse career path For many, aspiring to succeed in one career is often a challenge. Then there is Capt. (Dr.) Justin Smith. Dr. Smith, currently completing a one-year advanced education general dentistry residency program with the 81st Dental Squadron, is now beginning his third career.An Air Force officer since July