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319th Medical Group comes together

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Desiree Economides
  • 319th Air Base Wing public affairs
As the philosopher Heraclitus once said, "The only thing that is constant is change," and the 319th Medical Group is no stranger in that regard.

Over the last eight months, the 319th MDG has undergone some major changes to include a $9.2 million renovation project and a significant turnover in leadership and medical staff.

The renovation project required temporary relocation of several offices including behavioral health, public health, resource management, bioenvironmental engineering and the 319th MDG command section to building 631. All of those offices are currently moving to the main clinic during and will return to operating in one building in 2016.

"Our goal is to provide high quality care for all of our beneficiaries regardless of what facility we are working from," said Maj. Corby Heyne, 319th Medical Logistics and Readiness Flight commander. "After the renovation, some clinics/flights will be moving back to their original locations. However, we will now have one entrance and patient check-in (northeast) for our family health, women's health and pediatrics clinics-basically a one-stop shop for our patients primary care needs."

Those who have long waited for the construction project to be completed may be a little surprised when the clinics all reopen back to normal in January.

"The facility is going to look exactly the same," said Christopher Arnold, 319th MDG facility manager. "The objective of this project wasn't beautification, it was to make the building safe for those who work and are treated in the facility." 

Building safety, as Arnold aforementioned, required installation of new mechanical systems, lighting and windows, replacing a 60 year-old heating system and also bringing the facility up to fire code. The new systems and modifications will also increase energy efficiency, thus cutting consumption by about 55 percent.

While the medical building itself received much needed updates, this summer the medical group also received several new members during the recent summer PCS season. In fact, all three commanders within the group are new here.

"This infrastructure upgrade is an important step in our Trusted Care journey as we improve patient safety and the experience of care. The staff seized the opportunity to consolidate four smaller clinics and check-in desks to one hallway with one check-in desk, and to relocate our Medical Management Team to the Family Practice area. These changes will greatly improve efficiency for patients and staff," said Col. Therese Bohusch, 319th MDG commander.  

As with anyone moving to any new job or location, all three commanders are learning about current operations and processes, and then moving the organization to the next level.

"One thing is certain, no matter what changes we face, the 319th Medical Group will continue to provide high quality services to all patients," said Heyne.