Med Center renovation phase nears completion Published March 16, 2011 By Mary Lou Gorny Hilltop Times editor HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- There's a lot going on in the 75th Medical Group, said Col. Don Hickman, 75th MDG Commander, during a recent interview with the medical group leadership. On his mind were the impending completion of the Clinic renovation project, the status of Hill AFB's "Medical Home," wellness of Team Hill's family, and an update on influenza vaccines for those interested in combating the effects of the continuing influenza season. By the end of this March, the renovation project begun by the 75th Medical Group in May 2010 will be completed. The $2.1 million dollar renovation accomplished several things. Hickman pointed out that "customers in the main clinic now have modern patient check-in counters and the Pharmacy, Family Medicine and Dental Clinic waiting areas have been expanded to meet the needs of our over 18,000 customers. " Other upgrades According to Maj. Mark DeVoe, the renovation project officer, the project also moved the Optometry Department, centralized the ancillary services of the lab, radiology and optometry and added four new exam rooms to the Airmen Clinic. The pharmacy has a new window that meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Conscious of the cost and use of vital resources, all of the new lighting has been fit with EnergyStar rated fixtures. DeVoe also announced that a $5.3 million Heating and Air Conditioning upgrade project is currently under way. "What that is going to do is centralize monitoring and control and give us better capability to level the heating and air conditioning of this building -- another way to achieve better energy efficiency," said DeVoe. "The 75th Medical Group strives to be 'The Medical Home' for its 18,000-plus customers," continued Hickman. "(In January), at the Department of Defense's Military Health Care Conference, Lt. Gen. Bruce Green, the Surgeon General of the Air Force, announced that we were the No. 3 in the Air Force for meeting the surgeon's goals for the 'Family Health Initiative,' the Surgeon's program to improve the Air Force's Medical Homes. What that means to our customers is that we are becoming better and better at making sure our patients see their medical provider when they want to see their provider; in effect, that our customers are getting the 'right care at the right time.' "That may sound like a 'no brainer,'ΓΆΓΆ" Hickman continued, "but before we initiated the Family Health Initiative (FHI) our customers told us that they were frustrated, many times very frustrated, that they didn't always see their provider, and instead were funneled to somebody else they'd never seen before. As the commander, I'll tell you we heard the complaints and are now doing much better. Under FHI, our providers work in teams of two providers (usually a physician and a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner), with a nurse and medical technicians. This FHI Team is responsible for 2,500 patients, and the team works together to meet the needs of all the patients. The patient will see their assigned provider, and if that provider is not available, will see his partner." The matter of resiliency Resiliency and wellness were also on the colonel's mind. "Team Hill's Resiliency and Wellness are everyone's responsibility -- we are all Wingmen. Perceived or real stigmas about seeking and receiving mental health care, counseling and other support services are known to keep some who need these services from seeking them. The Department of Defense has made it clear that it supports all members to seek and use these services, and that doing so in almost all cases cannot negatively affect one's security clearance. This is important, because post-suicide analysis across the DoD has shown that some individuals did not seek mental health or counseling services because they feared removal of their security clearance, and subsequently committed suicide." Hickman reiterated that active duty members, their families, and AD retirees are eligible for a wide range of mental health and counseling services through the 75th MDG, the local TriCare network, TriCare on-call counselors, Military Family Life Consultants and Military OneSource. And that the chaplains are also available 24/7/365. Government civilian employees have access via their private health insurance plans, the Employee Assistance Program, space available with the Military Family Life Consultants, and for work-related concerns the Occupational Medicine Clinic. "I carry my Hill Air Force Base Wingman (Boldface) Card with me 24/7," Hickman said. "It has all the contact numbers. First sergeants and the Wingman Advocates have additional information. Use them if and when the situation calls." Current cycles of influenza As a closing point, the 75th MDG commander wanted to remind everyone of the common sense ways to ensure those nasty colds and "flus" we're all experiencing don't spread: Get your flu shot, cough or sneeze into your sleeve and frequently wash your hands with soap and water. "I'm pleased to report that over 99 percent of all active duty personnel have received the influenza vaccine," said Hickman. "We have a lot more vaccine to give, so if anyone still hasn't received their annual vaccine, please come by the clinic (Building 570) to get immunized. We're ready to give vaccine until we run out of it." A recent Air Force policy change allows the 75th Medical Group to offer its remaining stock of influenza vaccine to Hill AFB government civilian employees this year. So dependent family members, retirees and anyone with "Civilian" on their government ID cards can come to the main clinic building during normal duty hours to receive their flu vaccine. "If you look at the Centers for Disease Control website, www.cdc.gov, you'll notice that influenza is widespread across the U.S. But not all fevers, runny noses, and coughing are related to the flu. Many of the 'nasty colds and flus' are not related to the influenza virus," said Lt Col. Clinton, 75th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Commander. "There are numerous viruses which can cause similar, but usually less severe, illnesses and are commonly called 'Influenza-Like-Illnesses' or ILI. Most ILI will resolve within three to five days. If you are having fast or troubled breathing, chest or abdominal pain, severe or persistent vomiting, difficulty tolerating liquids or feel faint (like you may pass out), please contact your doctor for advice." Hickman closed with a reminder that the medical group has set up a Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/75MDG.