Page 9 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 1-22-15

January 22, 2016
facebook.com/EdwardsDesertWings
2016
nic at Edwards Air Force Base.
dependent beneficiaries in
revention program leads the
mpletion rate of both the an-
d frontline supervisor train-
nsible alcohol use campaign
ent decrease in DUIs, and
rce Materiel Command for
as trail blazed new partner-
ources resulting in Antelope
Air Force photograph year of active internship, where students apply their
its first “baby friendly” fa-
lusion on its sexual assault
. spend three months in technical school learning medi-
oup Optometry team’s pri-
e vision care for active duty,
on Edwards AFB is a very
many benefits. Whether the
o start wearing corrective
sortie or ensuring that our
have the optimal vision for
ng our base; optometry is
nsuring that the 412th Test
ccess. the Texas Tech University Health
rovide care for patients who
gstanding diabetes to a six-
not focus on their mother’s
active surgery consults and
tional laser eye exams, treat
Desert Wings 9
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dry eye disorders, diagnose and treat computer vision exercise and manual therapy techniques
syndrome and provide vision training for pilots, se-
including joint manipulation.
curity forces members, and
athletes who are looking for The clinic is also staffed with two
a competitive advantage.
enlisted Physical Medicine special-
To become an Air Force
optometrist, candidates ists. Master Sgt. Kimberly Hatch is the
must obtain a bachelor’s
degree, followed by an clinic’s flight chief and Staff Sgt. Jessica
optometry degree, earned
after four years of graduate Aranda serves as the clinic’s NCOIC.
studies. After obtaining an
optometry degree, officers Each specialist completes a 12-week
must complete three differ-
ent phases of National Op- program at the Medical Education and
tometry Board examinations
before they are qualified to Training Center at Fort Sam Houston in
provide care. The amount
of continuing education re- San Antonio, Texas. At the conclusion
quired varies based on the
state of licensure, but most of this intense training program, the spe-
states require 20-25 credits
per year. cialists receive their Associates Degree in
Physical Therapy and are eligible to take
the licensure exam to become a licensed
physical therapy assistant. The chief duty
Air Force photograph by Christopher Okula of a physical medicine specialist involves
progressing their patients through the
The pharmacy at Edwards AFB. therapist’s established plan of care. This
includes instructing the patient in proper
information in the electronic health record system. exercise techniques, performing musculoskeletal joint
Physician assistants mobilization and soft tissue massage, and the applica-
There are two physician assistants as- tion of neuromuscular electrical stimulators.
Air Force photograph by Chris Higgins Pharmacy team signed to the 412th Medical Group, Capt.
The pharmacy at Ed- Rochelle Zangen and 1st Lt. Valerie Vil-
wards AFB is composed of lanueva.
eight team members. There are two officers, two en- Combined, these hard-working pro-
listed pharmacy specialists and four civilians; or two
pharmacists and six technicians. Our purpose is to pro- fessionals and their supporting nurses
vide safe and effective medications to our population and technicians care for an astounding
and to assist our clinical staff with appropriate drug 2,200 patients assigned to their respec-
therapy. In doing so, our beneficiaries can maintain tive teams and are responsible for nearly
their health, prepare for deployment with the neces- 10,000 medical appointments annually.
sary medications, or recover from an illness as fast as Although assigned to a preceptor physi-
possible in order to return to duty and ultimately ac- cian, Air Force PAs exercise autonomy in
medical decision-making and provide a
complish their mission. broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic
The Medical Group pharmacy fills more than 79,000 services. Air Force PAs provide a clini-
prescriptions every year. From the time you request cal role primarily in family practice, but
your prescription to the time that you walk away with are given the opportunity to compete for Air Force photograph by Christopher Okula
it, it has gone through at least five different processes fellowships in other areas, such as ortho- The Physical Therapy clinic at Edwards Air Force Base.
to ensure it’s safe, appropriate, and accurate. For ex- pedics and emergency medicine. PAs
ample, every prescription must go through a rigorous also deploy to provide medical expertise
screening process that checks for drug interactions or in wartime and humanitarian missions, and play an ac- The physical therapy clinic at Edwards AFB is one
possible duplications with other medications that you tive role in research and leadership activities. of only a few in the Air Force that allows for active
are taking. If potential problems are discovered, the To become a physician assistant, applicants are re- duty patients to be treated without a referral from a
pharmacy will take steps to get you a suitable alterna- quired to have a bachelor’s degree and have between physician. This “direct access” program reduces injury-
tive or counsel you on the potential effects. 1,000 and 3,000 hours of exposure in clinical care set- related pain and speeds the recovery process by al-
Pharmacists go through an extensive training pro- tings. A typical physician assistant program is two lowing eligible members to schedule an appointment
gram to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Once ac- years, four months in length, which encompasses a directly with the physical therapist, drastically cutting
cepted into pharmacy school, students must complete full year of clinical rotations in emergency care, fam- down the time from injury to initial treatment.
three years of core classes followed by an additional ily medicine, general surgery, pediatrics, and women’s
health. Public health team
clinical knowledge. Civilian pharmacy technicians ac-
complish eight months of training to receive their na- Physical therapy team The Edwards AFB Public Health Flight consists of
tional certification and military pharmacy technicians one officer, 10 enlisted technicians, and two civilians.
The Physical Therapy clinic at Edwards Air Force
cation names, their intended use, how to reconstitute Base is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of The flight is composed of three elements: Force
and prepare medications, and how to document patient musculoskeletal injuries and is open to all active duty, Health Management, Community Health, and Health
Promotions.
dependents and eligible retirees.
The Force Health Management element is the most
Maj. William Clarkson, the Physi-
Air Force photograph by Ethan Wagner cal Therapy flight commander, recognized element and is comprised of the Deploy-
completed his Master of Physical ment Health Program, Occupational Health Program,
Biomedical Sciences Corps officers from the 412th Medical Group. Therapy in 2001 at the University and the Preventive Health Assessment Cell. The
of Texas Health Science Center Community Health element most closely resembles
and followed up with his Doctor our civilian counterparts, such as county public health
of Physical Therapy in 2013 from departments, and is comprised of the Communicable
Disease Program, Medical Entomology, and Food
Science Center. Clarkson is also a Safety and Sanitation Program. The newest element
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in to the Edwards PH Flight is the Health Promotions
Orthopedic Physical Therapy with a element, which was formerly the Health and Wellness
special interest in the treatment and Center, but through an Air Force transformation and
prevention of running injuries. As a realignment now falls under PH. The element is still
physical therapist, Clarkson is a sub- responsible for all programs that the Health and Well-
ject matter aspect on musculoskel- ness Center formerly offered.
etal injuries. He is credentialed to
perform a thorough evaluation, order To qualify as a Public Health officer, officers must
diagnostic imaging, prescribe cer- have a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, Master of
tain medications, and refer to other Science in Epidemiology, or a Master of Public Health
specialists. Treatment strategies are degree. After the completion of Commissioned Of-
comprised of the use of therapeutic ficer Training, all new PHOs attend a ten-week basic
See MDG, Page 10