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Ceremony marks completion of 2-year modernization project

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Officials here held a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 21 to mark the completion of a $12.5 million modernization project covering more than 3,700 square feet to Hanscom's Medical Treatment Facility.

The project's scope included both administrative and clinical areas in Building 1900, the main medical clinic, as well as the new Veterinary Clinic in Building 1216.

"The primary focus of the project was to improve the overall patient experience," said Col. David R. Dunklee, 66th Air Base Group commander, who presided over the ceremony held in the modernized lobby of the clinic.

66th Medical Squadron officials explained that the project, which began in February 2014, was completed in phases to lessen the impact to service availability and patient care.

Areas renovated during the project include the Family Health Clinic, Pediatric Clinic, Medical Management Section, MDS Education and Training Center and Pharmacy.

"The project enhances space utilization for easier patient access, as well as incorporating energy efficiency measures to save critical resources," said Col. Joel Almosara, 66 MDS commander. "It's exciting to see this world-class facility completed."

He added that the overall project is under review by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, also known as LEED, accreditation.

Additional clinics improved include Optometry, Flight Medicine, Public Health, Laboratory, Radiology and the main clinic's lobby. The project also included adding a temperature-controlled medical logistics warehouse to centrally store inventory in support of disaster teams.

Prior to cutting the ribbon with Dunklee, Almosara recognized the patience of beneficiaries from Team Hanscom, sister services, geographically separated units and others throughout New England during the more than 2-year project.

Dunklee highlighted that while the clinic was under construction, MDS officials successfully completed a no-notice Ambulatory Healthcare Accreditation, Unit Effectiveness Inspection and a The Joint Commission Inspection.

"The inspections must be passed in order to keep the doors open and without them we wouldn't have a clinic here today," he said. "Despite the challenges associated with the construction, the medical squadron came through with sterling results."

Also included in the project was the Veterinary Clinic, which now has new surgical and radiological space in support of Hanscom's Military Working Dog mission.

"This modernization project further improved the ability of the 66th Medical Squadron to provide superior healthcare," Dunklee said.