The results are in: The 319th Medical Group is ‘Outstanding’

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 319th Medical Group recently received an outstanding rating following its recent 2012 Health Service Inspection.

"The outstanding score is a reflection of the professionalism, diligence, and sustained superior performance of each member of our medical group family, whether enlisted, officer, civilian, or contractor," said Col. Jane Denton, 319th MDG commander. "I'm humbled, proud and blessed to lead this unit especially after such an accomplishment."

The score of 96 is the highest score this year in the Air Force and the third highest score recorded since the Medical Air Force Inspection Agency's Operations Directorate began conducting health services inspections 12 years ago.

The 154-member group began preparing for the important inspection nearly two years ago.

"We closely followed our programs and processes for the past 23 months, establishing corrective action plans, making corrections and reviewing those plans periodically to ensure sustained performance," said Denton. "Our teams spent a great amount of time reviewing medical records and assembling specific documentation from all our functional areas for the inspectors to review. In addition, they ensured our facility was in great shape and met rigorous inspection requirements."

Inspectors looked at three categories consisting of nine areas, 66 elements, and 769 total criteria during the three-day inspection, which began Aug. 21. Of the 66 elements, 38 received perfect scores of 100. Of the nine areas, three received perfect scores: Worker Protection and Public Health Surveillance (total of six elements), Mental Health (total of 9 elements), and Business Management (total of 6 elements).

In addition, four Warriors of the North were identified by the inspection team as "outstanding performers." They are 1st Lt. Jody Crisp, Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Ellison, Staff Sgt. Sarah Madden, and Brad Zielske.

Denton said this is the first time the 319th MDG has received an outstanding HSI rating.
 
The exceptional rating has done more than validate all the hard work and dedication of the 114 military and 40 civilians, who helped make the grade.

"Everyone is extremely happy and excited with the outcome and morale is sky-high," said Denton.

Several members within the group's chain of command expressed positive comments, including Airman 1st Class Paul Ilagan, who arrived right in the middle of the inspection.

"Although I really wasn't here to help the group prepare, I know that doing well on an HSI is a big deal because I took part in one during tech school," he said. "I know this is a great unit and I definitely look forward to making a positive contribution and becoming an asset for my group."

The positive energy and attitude created after the inspection is something Denton hopes to maintain and channel toward the MDG's preparation for the August 2013's civilian version of the HSI, which will be conducted by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) organizations.

"We intend to sustain our superior performance, improve where we can, and receive full accreditation from AAAHC next year," she said. "We now know what we are capable of, and we intend to remain the best of the best!"