An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

AFMS historian seeks to preserve military medical history

  • Published
  • By 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
A modest display that occupies what was once a flower shop at the Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center is the seed of what one day may be an Air Force museum dedicated to military medicine.

For Judith Taylor, Air Force Medical Services historian, that is the goal.

"There has always been a desire by many to have a medical museum for the Air Force. I think it's time the Air Force Medical Service had one" said Taylor.

The AFMS was created in 1949. Its components included the Medical Corps, Dental Corps, Veterinary Corps, Medical Service Corps, Air Force Nurse Corps and the Women's Medical Specialist Corps.

"Each of these groups has contributed greatly to advancements in military medicine, and to saving people's lives. It only makes sense there should be something out there to showcase what they've done," she said.

"Many don't know how AFMS has contributed to the medical world," said Taylor. "The concept of aerobics began in the Air Force. AFMS also helped develop the bird ventilator which helps newborns to breath."

For now, the humble display of lithographs and storyboards by the WHASC information booth will suffice. The current medical facility, affectionately called "Big Willy" by those who know its history, is scheduled for demolition and health care services are set to move to a new adjacent facility within the next few years.

"There's not a lot of time left to build a permanent display. With operations set to move to the new building, the solution was a modest, but in-depth, timeline highlighting AFMS contributions," said Taylor.

Now, everyone can see and learn a bit about the accomplishments of medical personnel from years past. "Hopefully, providing more awareness and stirring up a better appreciation for the foundation upon which modern Air Force medicine was built," she added.

It's a much-needed and well-deserved tribute to Air Force military medicine, and "it's just the start," she said. "With a few other projects in line, this is only the beginning of bigger things yet to come."