Dec. 17, 2009 New device provides quick emergency evacuation Wilford Hall Medical Center has purchased special devices for each inpatient bed, designed to reduce risk of injury to patients and staff and to expedite evacuations during emergency situations.The new emergency evacuation devices, or sleds, cocoon the patient and mattress together, allowing medical
Dec. 17, 2009 Military ophthalmologists receive Distinguished Service Award Military ophthalmologists from all branches of service were recently presented a Distinguished Service Award in appreciation for their ongoing service and vision care contributions.The award was presented by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and recognized all military ophthalmologists, past and
Dec. 17, 2009 Support improves for families with special needs Officials are working to boost the resources and support the Defense Department's Exceptional Family Member Program provides to military families with special needs. "Most people are aware of EFMP as a mandatory enrollment program, but we're working to raise awareness of the family support we can
Dec. 17, 2009 59th Medical Wing receives Air Force Outstanding Unit Award The 59th Medical Wing was recently awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the period of July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009."Even though the 59th Medical Wing has now won this award several years in a row, no one should think for a moment that these are automatic," said Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Tom
Dec. 4, 2009 Health care gains recognition as bridge to stability A theory gaining momentum among counterinsurgency and military medical experts is that the health of a nation's people affects the health of a nation. While no formal study has confirmed a causal connection, evidence culled from U.S. commanders as well as American allies and adversaries, suggests a
Dec. 4, 2009 Wounded warrior program continues assisting Airmen and their families Air Force leaders remain committed to the service's top investments: Airmen and their families. In support of a Defense Department initiative to return wounded warriors to productive military service or civilian life, Air Force officials here have revised several personnel policies. These policies
Dec. 4, 2009 New physical fitness standards effective July 1, biannual testing begins Jan. 1 Maintaining peak combat readiness begins and ends with healthy, motivated and well-trained Airmen.On Nov. 19, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel announced the new Air Force fitness standards will officially begin July 1, 2010.Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III said the
Dec. 4, 2009 Vietnam military health, logistics reps visit Hickam Six delegates from the Vietnam military's health and general logistics fields met with U.S. Air Force officials here Nov. 10 during a 13th Air Force-hosted visit. The visit was designed to familiarize the Vietnamese delegates with how the U.S. military conducts surveillance, screening and testing of
Dec. 4, 2009 Healthcare: Be a leader Airmen may already be familiar with growing national support for the Patient-Centered Medical Home health care model. The PCMH is defined as an approach to providing comprehensive primary care that facilitates partnerships between individual patients, their personal physicians and, when appropriate,
Dec. 4, 2009 DOD, VA officials announce disability evaluation system pilot expansion To expedite the delivery of benefits to many injured servicemembers who receive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, VA officials have announced the expansion of a program with the Department of Defense to streamline the application process for people retiring or exiting
Dec. 4, 2009 'Defender's Edge': A new approach to combat stress A new customized mental health program is helping security forces Airmen here manage combat stress.The "Defenders Edge" is tailored to those security forces Airmen who conduct missions on or outside the wire. This program is intended to improve Airmen's mental resiliency to combat-related stressors.
Dec. 4, 2009 President extends Thanksgiving wishes to Airman serving in Afghanistan An Air Force medic here received a personal telephone call from President Barack Obama on Thanksgiving Day.Senior Airman Ashley Jackson, a member of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kapisa, was chosen as one of 10 military members who spoke to the president while deployed abroad.Airman Jackson,
Dec. 4, 2009 'First-strike ration' aims for better nutrition Several military organizations are working together to provide servicemembers with healthy, good-tasting, sustainable and nutritionally sound combat rations. "We're charged with a fairly awesome task, and that is to fuel the Defense Department's most flexible and adaptable weapons platform, and
Nov. 13, 2009 Military medical team sets new standard of care in wartime Before a crowd of thousands, Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Tom Travis, who leads the largest medical training facility in the Air Force, paid tribute to the military medical corps on Veterans Day during a pre-parade ceremony in Dallas, Texas. The theme of the 12th annual Dallas Veterans Day Parade was "Saluting
Nov. 13, 2009 Experts answer H1N1 questions online Experts did their best to answer questions and allay fears over H1N1 flu and the associated vaccine during a Nov. 10 online town-hall meeting here hosted by Military Health System officials. Questions -- submitted via a special Web site -- included concerns such as whether it's possible to
Nov. 13, 2009 Symposium draws top medical professionals The conference room was filled with doctors, nurses, scientists and top officials, all subject-matter experts in their respective medical fields. Some wore military uniforms, others business suits. Some were versed on the science of traumatic brain injuries. Others were veterans of combat hospital
Nov. 13, 2009 Iraqi doctors visit Air Force Theater Hospital for medical education conference Six Iraqi doctors attended a continuing medical education conference at the Air Force Theater Hospital Oct. 30 here. The conference was the first of what's scheduled to become a monthly event in a broad effort by U.S. medical professionals to share information with local physicians, improve the
Nov. 13, 2009 Prescription meds: Proceed with caution With a steady military healthcare system and a variety of medical resources in the Air Force, it can be difficult for some Airmen to ensure their prescribed medications are current. When Airmen ignore inspecting their medicine cabinets they risk possible damage to their careers and, more
Nov. 13, 2009 Nellis programs to have regional reach Two new programs here are focused on getting care and services to wounded or sick servicemembers and to military families during their loved ones' deployments. Once word gets out about their programs, the coordinators hope their reach goes beyond Nellis Air Force Base and neighboring Creech AFB, to
Nov. 13, 2009 Dental technician has unique mission The job of a dental assistant, at first glance, seems pretty cut and dried. Looking deeper, there is more going on than just "cleaning teeth and sucking spit." One of the opportunities available in this career field is working with patients who need facial prosthetics. The 59th Medical Wing's