Air Force establishes Biomedical Science Corps Appreciation Week Published March 7, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Corey Hook 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- The Air Force is officially recognizing the achievements of the men and women who comprise the Biomedical Science Corps by designating March 11-15, 2013 as BSC Appreciation Week. The Air Force Medical Service inaugural event, which is expected to become an annual celebration, coincides with the date when the BSC was officially formed, nearly 50 years ago on March 15, 1965. Comprised of 17 career fields and about 2,477 officers, the BSC is the most diverse officer corps in the Air Force Medical Service. Sixteen of 17 BSC career fields are represented at the 59th Medical Wing, with personnel at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center and the 559th Medical Group here on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland; at the 359th Medical Group on JBSA-Randolph, and at the 959th Medical Group, part of the San Antonio Military Medical Center at nearby JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. "Whether people know it or not, members of the Biomedical Science Corps impact patients' lives every time they come into a military medical treatment facility," said Col. David Bobb, 59th Medical Wing Biomedical Science Corps executive. "Our physician assistants, podiatrists, psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, optometrists, audiologists, speech therapists, pharmacists, laboratory officers, health physicists, dieticians, public health officers, bioenvironmental engineers and aerospace physiologists are extremely important in terms of medical care for the San Antonio Military Health System, and abroad," said Bobb. "It is very rewarding to be part of a corps whose impact is so widespread," he added. The BSC was established in 1965 from the now defunct Women's Medical Specialist Corps and components of the Medical Service Corps. The BSC consists entirely of commissioned officers. Scheduled events throughout the week are planned to help celebrate and recognize the BSC. "We have many activities planned throughout the week to help observe BSC Appreciation Week. We really want to set aside time to honor all BSC officers and all the enlisted technicians who assist BSCs on a daily basis," said Bobb. "Missions Air Force-wide wouldn't thrive without everyone's effort." USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res USAF. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)