Sept. 11, 2013 AF civilian gives child 'gift of life' Jacquelyn Polasek will never forget May 30, 2013. It's the day she received the call.Polasek, a contracted realty specialist with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center, was checking her voicemail while going to lunch."I had a message from a donor specialist with the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center
Sept. 10, 2013 MDSS Airmen ensure success through support "No support, no success," is the 31st Medical Support Squadron motto, encompassing everything from processing travel vouchers to preparing prescriptions. Airmen assigned to the unit provide support to the 31st Medical Group and help keep the Airmen at Aviano mission ready.MDSS Airmen are responsible
Sept. 10, 2013 Airman helps deliver daughter, deploys same day (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Airman 1st Class Timothy Pledger was scheduled to depart for his six-month deployment in the early hours of the morning Aug. 30, but an aircraft
Sept. 10, 2013 Responder Demystifies Calling Military Crisis Line for Help When someone is in crisis and feeling despondent, reaching out for help is a stronger step to take than doing nothing, which can lead to a worsening state, a Military Crisis Line responder told American Forces Press Service today.Tricia Lucchesi of Canandaigua, N.Y., said she encourages service
Sept. 10, 2013 Air Force nurse corps chief and medical leader retires after 34 years In a ceremony filled with lifetime friends and colleagues, Maj. Gen. Kimberly A. Siniscalchi, 15th Assistant Air Force Surgeon General, Medical Force Development, and Chief of the Nurse Corps, retired Aug. 9 after 34 years of service.Retired Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles B. Green, the 20th Air Force
Sept. 9, 2013 New versus old, surgical technicians compete Members of the 86th Medical Group held a friendly competition between the group's superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Kendrick and Airman 1st Class Kathryn Presser, 86th Medical Squadron surgical technician, Aug. 23, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.The competition was a precursor for
Sept. 9, 2013 Building resilience through Comprehensive Airman Fitness Airmen in the U.S. Air Force may find obstacles and challenges in their path when conducting day-to-day operations, supporting a deployment tasking or dealing with family issues. These challenges can often result in stress that may hinder Airmen's performance in their work and in their personal
Sept. 9, 2013 USAFE-AFAFRICA medical units conduct EMEDS U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa medical units participated in expeditionary medical support training to challenge their medical readiness skills Aug. 25 - 30 here. The EMEDS training included realistic scenarios for the Airmen, where they had to perform emergency medical treatments
Sept. 9, 2013 South African smiles restored through Aviano Airmen's care "It was one of those moments that was bigger than you," said Tech. Sgt. Rowan Strong, 31st Dental Squadron clinical flight chief. "At the end of every day, I was proud to wear the uniform. It was an honor to help so many people and take away so much pain." Three Airmen from Aviano provided dental
Sept. 6, 2013 HAWC holds Youth Clinic With the start of the new school year approaching, the Health and Wellness Center offered a youth clinic Aug. 27 to provide sports nutrition education, injury prevention and tips on how to improve performance at home and school.The class was broken into two sections focusing on nutrition and sports
Sept. 6, 2013 Keeping Airmen healthy and informed through Operation Supplement Safety For peak performance, Airmen should eat healthy and exercise regularly. But in the quest to gain an "edge", many Airmen resort to dietary supplements. Enter Operation Supplement Safety, or OPSS. This Department of Defense (DoD) educational campaign, accessible at www.hprc-online.org/opss, educates
Sept. 5, 2013 Air Force offers virtual reality therapy for those who suffer from PTSD Post-traumatic stress disorder is an issue that the 86th Medical Group here has been treating with traditional and virtual methods for more than three years.Social workers at the mental health clinic have customized virtual-reality simulators used to treat PTSD in unison with traditional therapy.
Sept. 5, 2013 Official notes progress in suicide prevention effort Making sure people know where to turn for help during a time of crisis is the continuing goal of the Defense Department's suicide prevention program, the Pentagon official in charge of the effort said here Aug. 30.In an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel,
Sept. 4, 2013 Air Force Medics Prove Strength, Bond Downrange The strength of military families is tested and proven as service members continually deploy to foreign and hostile lands. For one Idaho-based Air Force family, miles apart hasn't been an issue at all.Two airmen, both medics, deployed simultaneously twice, but to separate Afghan provinces where they
Sept. 4, 2013 Message from Secretary Hagel on Suicide Prevention Month The Department of Defense has no more important responsibility than supporting and protecting those who defend our country and that means we must do everything possible to prevent military suicide. As we observe Suicide Prevention Month, the entire DoD community - service members, civilians, members
Sept. 4, 2013 Only Air Force Forward Surgical Team saves service members lives The phone rings and a medic answers. It's a service member ready to give a nine line report. There's been a rocket attack and resulting in several injuries. The medics quickly prepare for the incoming patients.All over Afghanistan service members are deployed to forward operating bases as they
Sept. 4, 2013 Air Force reminds Airmen to avoid hemp seed products Recent news reports on the Air Force's prohibition of a popular yogurt brand spotlighted a regulation, in effect since the late 1990s, aimed at ensuring military readiness. Recently, military members were told to avoid a Chobani yogurt called "Blueberry Power Chobani Flip" because it contains hemp
Aug. 28, 2013 Considering medical school: Two weeks left to apply Have you completed your bachelor's degree with at least 3.2 grade point average, are under the age of 33, and have been in the Air Force for a minimum of 3 years but not more than 10? If so, you may be eligible for the Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program."The Enlisted to Medical Degree
Aug. 27, 2013 101 Critical Days: Summer campaign ending soon, but safety never stops Though the annual 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign comes to an end next week, the need for safety measures continues. Many people use the last long weekend of summer to get away from home before the hustle and bustle of another school year begins. In most cases, using common sense will help you
Aug. 27, 2013 Medical center begins modernization project The 99th Medical Group will begin construction on the Multi-Departmental Hospital Modernization project at Mike O'Callaghan Federal Medical Center with an official wall-breaking ceremony to officially kick off construction Aug. 28. Pediatrics, cardio-pulmonary and the surgery clinic have already