Page 4 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt – March 2024

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March 2024 NEWS www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
Thunderbolt http://www.luke.af.mil
Members of the 56th Medical Group pose for a photo before an early morning run Jan. 25, 2024. In celebration of the MDG 50th anniversary, members took part in a morning physical training run, dressed in 70’s attire for a day and held a potluck. The com- mitment of the 56th MDG stands as a testament to their dedication to advancing medical practices and safeguarding the health of service members of the past and present.
“We were prepared to work together to keep our patients safe, the facil- ity safe, and the wing safe. It was a memorable moment.”
From babies in the parking lot, to roadside life-saving measures, deploying across the globe to assist with natural disasters or worldwide pandemics, the 56th MDG and staff has been involved in many histori- cal events. Reflecting on the past 50 years begs the question, “what will healthcare look like in another 50 years?”
The year 2074 seems so distant but the things accomplished in this moment and over the course of the next 50 years will build the founda- tion and pave the way for future generations to come. Every single 56th MDG Airman is a part of its collective history and are vital to advancing its future.
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community members. The West Nile Virus, Ebola, rabies, flu and swine flu, monkey pox, tuberculosis, and COVID are just a few of the diseases the 56th MDG has combated over the past several years. The 56th MDG remains flexible in the face of constant changes in a world of infectious diseases while managing health protocols.
On average, the clinic sees 100,000 patients annually, and personnel continue to work hard to meet the needs of patients while ensuring quality care. Last year, the clinic prepared for the much-anticipated The Joint Commission inspection. The clinic has a legacy of excep- tional performance, dating back to 1979, when the 56th MDG was honored by TJC for the quality of healthcare and national standards of excellence.
Along with medical care, Luke AFB’s 56th MDG has an active role in educating medics and first responders across the Air Force in one of the few facilities with a state- of-the-art simulation laboratory. Last October, the 56th MDG became the first Air Force site authorized to teach an eight-day Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course known as “T-Triple C.”
Accomplishments like these have earned the 56th MDG the USAF General Surgeon award for “best clinic of the year” multiple times.
man experiencing a seizure. He used his training to recognize the sign of an obstructed airway and took measures to open the airway until the patient’s breathing nor- malized. The technician kept the airway open for the next five min- utes until the ambulance arrived.
In 2021, at the height of a global pandemic, 50 56th MDG personnel deployed to Brooklyn, New York. They provided at least 235,000 COVID vaccines to the most af- fected region in the United States. While members were deployed, the 56th MDG clinic was half-manned, which made sustaining operations a challenge. In addition, the migration from an outdated electronic medical record to the newer MHS Genesis system was occurring, which posed another challenge to clinic opera- tions. This did not change the out- come of our patient care, however, as we continued to persevere.
In the last three years, the 56th MDG has deployed over 130 mem- bers to countries across the globe, including: Germany, Afghanistan, Qatar, Kenya, and Cuba, as well as deployed to stateside in-garrison missions.
While supporting deployments across the world, the 56th MDG also supports the local community through educating and protecting
The lab has also been recognized as “Best Lab of the Year” across both civilian and military establishments, and continues to exceed expecta- tions.
Accolades could not be won with- out people and the members of the 56th MDG throughout the years have been exceptional. Several have earned the award-winning title of “United Blood Services Hero.” While others have dominated in the world of sports. Members have won championships in volleyball, the Air Force marathon, basketball, softball, powerlifting, and flag football. One member even toured for a year with “Tops In Blue”.
Many of the active-duty person- nel have remained on staff post- retirement.
Linda Earnest, 56th MDG wom- en’s health clinic registered nurse,
reflects on her favorite memory after 17 years in the Luke clinic. “Giving a young couple news of their positive pregnancy after nine years of being unsuccessful,” she said. “Their little girl will be two in February!”
Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jesse Lagang, 56th MDG chemistry lab technician supervisor, reflects on his time after 23 years in the 56th MDG. “I was assigned to the 58th Medical Group, Air Combat Com- mand,” he said. “We wore hospital whites, and a Dark Red baseball cap with 58th on the front. The medical group was very mobile and we had a 500-bed deployable hospital”
Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Lou Lobrigo, 56th MDG licensed practical nurse, reflects on the trag- edy of 9/11 after 23 years in the 56th MDG. “The 56th MDG really came together as a team that day,” he said.