Dec. 11, 2013 Hello, my baby: Delivery nurse brings own daughter into world "I love that sound," the mother said softly as nurses and technicians hovered over her newborn girl. "I love a crying baby." On a list of soothing sounds, a crying baby rarely ranks high for most people, but for Capt. Savannah Mendez, nothing is more reassuring."It means your baby is alive and
Dec. 10, 2013 801st MAES first to receive Distinguished Unit Award in 1950 It's a little-known fact the first Air Force Distinguished Unit Award ever awarded in theater was presented to men and women serving in a medical unit.The 801st Medical Air Evacuation Squadron received the citation for gallantry and heroism during events that unfolded in September and December 1950.
Dec. 5, 2013 New TRICARE.mil “I want to…” Feature Offers Easy Access to Popular Customer Service Options TRICARE beneficiaries now have an easy way to access customer service features. The TRICARE.mil home page has a new "I want to..." section offering beneficiaries a gateway to links that help them manage their health care from prescriptions to enrollments and much more.The "I want to..." section of
Dec. 4, 2013 Fledgling Air Force Medical Service proved its importance during Korea Conflict The "Year of the Korean War Veteran," established by the U.S. Senate to recognize the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War, comes to a close this month culminating a year of reflection and commemorations in both the United States and South Korea. The Air Force Medical Service was less than 1 year old,
Dec. 3, 2013 Helping Family Caregivers Cope with Traumatic Brain Injuries A number of returning service members have sustained brain injuries in the line of duty. These injuries significantly change not only their lives, but also those of their family members, who often make tremendous sacrifices to care for their wounded warriors. The Defense Department is committed to
Dec. 3, 2013 Operation Homecoming remembered during 40th anniversary of Vietnam POW return This year marks the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam conflict and the return of American prisoners of war (POW), called Operation Homecoming. In late 1972, the Air Force Medical Service began planning for the return of 591 Americans held by the North Vietnamese. Of paramount concern was
Dec. 3, 2013 Festive food: Healthy habits for happy holidays Warm turkey, savory stuffing, rich green bean casserole -- and don't forget pumpkin pie. With the holiday season on the horizon and all of the food that comes along with it, it is important to know what, and how much, we are eating.Many people often overlook healthy eating habits during the
Dec. 3, 2013 Airman survives conflict, gains perspective Serbian paramilitary forces surrounded Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, during the Bosnian conflict, bombarding the city with heavy artillery in 1992. U.S Air Force Capt. Merima White, 99th Medical Operations Squadron Family Medicine Residency resident physician, then 9 years-old, survived the conflict
Nov. 26, 2013 Former Air Force Surgeon General passes away The Air Force Medical Service remembers retired Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Paul W. Myers, former Air Force Surgeon General, who passed away of natural causes on Nov. 25, 2013 in San Antonio, Texas.Myers was the 10th surgeon general and sworn in on Aug. 1,1978 until July 31, 1982. He officially retired on Dec.
Nov. 26, 2013 Former MTI’s road to recovery transformed tragedy into inspiration In the pitch blackness and pre-dawn stillness, his booming voice alone was enough to send several dozen new trainees into a frenzied scramble from the comfort of their bunks. His scowl was enough to keep those trainees frozen into a formation of stone figures.Tech. Sgt. Matthew Zien was one of those
Nov. 25, 2013 Offutt's fightin' 55th members deliver smiles to Omaha's Children's Hospital and Medical Center
Nov. 25, 2013 Personal trainer: Make holiday resolution A certified personal trainer here said he knows all too well about the well-intentioned New Year's resolutions to get in better shape that fill the gym every January. He said he has also seen the same trend every year when in February or March the gym empties to its pre-resolution regulars. Chris
Nov. 25, 2013 Deck the Halls with Safety in Mind Fa la la la la Decorating homes for the holidays is a magical way to kick-start the season but families should be aware of the potential fire hazards and injuries that can happen if safety precautions are not taken. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 14,000 injuries related to
Nov. 21, 2013 New heritage center display celebrates aeromedical evac "We are not the heroes, we just bring them home."This is the motto of the men and women who serve in the Aero Medical Evacuation Squadrons throughout the Air Force. Creating an aero medical evacuations display at the Heritage Museum has been a goal for the heritage center staff."It's something that
Nov. 20, 2013 Eglin Hospital treats first dialysis patient When retired Lt. Col. Charles Wheelahan visited Dr. Bhagwan Dass, the 96th Medical Group's nephrologist, at Eglin Hospital on the morning of Oct. 28, they both knew something was wrong. Wheelahan was lethargic and short of breath, and according to Dass, it was clear he was not himself. After further
Nov. 20, 2013 Med group's 'Super Teams' to improve access to patient care The 78th Medical Group is the test base for the Air Force in finding a way to provide better patient care. Using Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield's 'People, Process and Resources' framework, the 78 MDG this month has taken the Patient-Centered Medical Home model and modified it from a previous five-team
Nov. 20, 2013 U-2 modifications reduce decompression sickness Air Force pilots flying the "Dragon Lady" no longer experience decompression sickness during their high-altitude flights, according to officials with the U-2 Program Office here. Commonly referred to as DCS, decompression sickness is caused by the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the blood and
Nov. 19, 2013 Air Force Veteran Helped Establish New Defense Health Agency Tucked away down a short hallway on the third floor of the Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Va., is an office known as "The Museum." Inside, it is full of artifacts from the 30-year military career of Rebecca Russell, now the acting Chief Human Capital Officer for the Military Health
Nov. 15, 2013 Annual exams crucial for early detection of oral cancer Annual exams at a dental clinic begin with an oral cancer screening. Unbeknownst to many, the dentist is the first line of defense when it comes to early detection of oral cancer.This is important given that mortality rates associated with oral cancer significantly decrease with early detection.
Nov. 15, 2013 Trauma surgeon urges continued investment in combat care As combat operations wind down in Afghanistan and the Defense Department struggles with ever-tighter budgetary constraints, a seasoned military trauma surgeon warned against arbitrary cuts that could unravel successes made in preventing combat injuries and, when they occur, providing the best