April 6, 2013 Air Force Medical Service goes green and receives top energy award The Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) was awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star Partner of the Year award on March 26, 2013, in Washington D.C. for Air Force-wide efforts to reduce energy consumption in medical facilities by 10 percent, saving an estimated $3.3 million in
April 5, 2013 Commitment to Helping Sexual Assault Victims Earns Honors The Defense Department is honoring six sexual assault response coordinators this month for their outstanding efforts in assisting victims of sexual assault and for their commitment to preventing this crime.Led by Army Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton, director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
April 5, 2013 Reductions won't affect most TRICARE Prime beneficiaries Despite upcoming service area reductions, TRICARE Prime will remain a health care option for 97 percent of the more than 5 million beneficiaries eligible for the health care plan, Military Health System officials said.The 3 percent difference, which comprises about 171,000 beneficiaries who mostly
April 5, 2013 Tips for preventing child abuse, neglect More than 1.5 million children are abused or neglected in the United States each year. Each abused or neglected child costs the taxpayers more than $67,000 per year.Americans spend more than $80 billion annually on the direct and indirect costs of child abuse and neglect.Child abuse and neglect are
April 5, 2013 Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman battles sexual, physical abuse April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. We feature the story of Master Sgt. Michelle Blake, who overcame tremendous adversity and has finally found the courage to tell her story. It's often said that joining the military can change a person's life. For Master Sgt. Michelle Blake,
April 5, 2013 Using Hand Hygiene To Eliminate the Other Superbug A more aggressive strain of the dangerous Clostridium difficile bacteria has appeared, and the new superbug is not only resistant to some antibiotics, but also produces toxins more harmful than previous strains.Clostridium difficile, also known as C.difficile or C. diff, is a spore-forming,
April 4, 2013 Dental patriots caring for Patriot mission soldiers The Patriot missile batteries brought with them U.S., German and Dutch soldiers, which increased the number of military forces at Incirlik with approximately 400 personnel. With more personnel comes a greater potential for more people to become sick or have any number of medical needs to include
April 4, 2013 Sexual assault has No place in DOD, official says Sexual assault has no place in the Defense Department, a senior Pentagon official said April 2 here, calling on the workforce to be part of the solution.In a keynote address kicking off Aberdeen Proving Ground's observance of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, acting
April 3, 2013 West Region Transitioned to UnitedHealthcare on April 1 TRICARE beneficiaries in the West Region will get their TRICARE coverage from a new contractor, UnitedHealthcare Military & Veterans, starting April 1, 2013. By now, all West Region beneficiaries should have been notified by mail of the change.UnitedHealthcare sent Welcome Packets to beneficiaries
April 3, 2013 Airman saves friend's life half a world away Most Airmen have accomplished computer-based suicide prevention training and are familiar with the "typical" scenario - a bold Airman asking the right questions to someone who isn't acting "right." In these training modules, the interaction is almost always in person, face-to-face. But, as one
April 3, 2013 Air Force reservists and retirees eligible for TRICARE healthcare programs TRICARE has affordable healthcare programs available for all Air Force Reserve retirees - including "gray-area retirees" and actively-participating Air Force reservists, no matter what orders they are on.Reservists who retire before age 60 are eligible for TRICARE Retired Reserve coverage while they
April 3, 2013 Airman, wife make a difference When this Airman dons his uniform, he flies a C-17 Globemaster III on missions transporting supplies and Airmen to where duty calls. But when he takes his uniform off, he still finds ways to make a difference in the world. First Lt. Joey Brewer, 16th Airlift Squadron pilot, and his wife, Tori,
April 3, 2013 May, June boards consider medical officers for command Medical officers will be considered for command when five medical corps boards convene in May and June, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Although the first board is not scheduled until mid- to late-May, commander or equivalent-endorsed statements of intent must arrive at AFPC by April 26,
April 3, 2013 DOD works to ensure access for special needs families Defense Department officials are working to standardize a program designed to help service members get care for family members with chronic health issues or special needs who otherwise might face forgoing an assignment or having to cut short a deployment because of an inability to find such care.The
April 2, 2013 After The Battle: The flying ICU Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a four-part series about the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's medical response capabilities and the various teams within the wing who play a role in the care and transportation of combat wounded troops throughout Afghanistan.Three critically injured patients need
April 2, 2013 After The Battle: The medical USO Editor's Note: This is the third in a four-part series about the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's medical response capabilities and the various teams within the wing who play a role in the care and transportation of combat wounded troops throughout Afghanistan.When service members get sick or injured
April 2, 2013 After The Battle: The golden hour Editor's Note: This is the first in a four-part series about the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing's medical response capabilities and the various teams within the wing who play a role in the care and transportation of combat-wounded troops throughout Afghanistan."The Golden Hour" refers to the hour
March 28, 2013 Nominations accepted for Portraits in Courage Now through May 1, nominations are being accepted and reviewed for Portraits in Courage, Vol. 8. "Portraits in Courage is a Chief of Staff initiative designed to tell Airmen's stories of courage, valor, and heroism. Our Airmen do the impossible every day. These narratives embody our warrior ethos
March 28, 2013 Uniformed Services University Ranks Among Top Medical Schools The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. -- the only university of its kind dedicated to educating military doctors, graduate nurses and other specialized health-care professionals -- has earned distinction as one of the top-ranked U.S. graduate schools.U.S. News &