Articles

March 15, 2024

59th MDW DEIA Committee Marks One-Year Milestone in Inclusion Efforts

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Lackland, Texas — Amidst the changing tides of social consciousness and policy directives, Col. Aquilla Highsmith-Tyler stands at the forefront of the 59th Medical Wing’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee. With unwavering dedication, she leads a charge to transform the military landscape into one that values every individual's unique identity and experiences. Inspired by President Joe Biden's Executive Order 14035, Highsmith-Tyler and her team aim to cultivate a workplace where mutual respect and understanding reign supreme. Through education and awareness initiatives, they seek to dismantle barriers that hinder inclusivity and diversity within the organization, believing that embracing differences will only strengthen their mission capabilities and elevate patient care standards.

Oct. 17, 2023

Military health and readiness improved through collaboration with small business

Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland, Texas — The article highlights the significant musculoskeletal injuries faced by military personnel, particularly ankle injuries. These injuries lead to training disruptions, costly medical attrition, and affect military readiness. To address this, the Air Force initiated the Versatile Injury Prevention and Embedded Reconditioning program (VIPER) and partnered with TayCo Brace to develop the XAB (eXternal Ankle Brace). This innovative brace offers better range of motion and comfort, reduces recovery time, and can be worn over combat boots or athletic shoes. It is expected to significantly improve return-to-duty rates, reduce disruptions, and enhance overall outcomes for service members with ankle injuries. The XAB is commercially available for military procurement, representing a promising solution for military musculoskeletal injuries.

Sept. 13, 2023

Mission of compassion: surgeons restore sight and forge connections in Panama

Regional Hospital Dr. Luis "Chicho" Fabrega, Santiago de Veraguas, Panama — Panamax Alpha 2023, an annual ophthalmology Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE), is aimed to enhance the surgical skills and operational readiness of team members by immersing them in a range of prevalent chronic eye conditions in the region. In July 2023, 32 TriService military members traveled to the Regional Hospital Dr. Luis "Chicho" Fabrega where the team conducted rapid preliminary screenings for 300 patients within just three days, followed by a remarkable total of 291 surgeries over the subsequent eight days, leaving an impact through nearly 750 clinic appointments.

Sept. 11, 2023

Transforming Lives, One Eye at a Time: U.S. Military Ophthalmology Mission, Panamax Alpha 2023

Santiago de Veraguas, Panama — In July 2023, a team of 32 members from the Air Force, Army, and Navy embarked on an Ophthalmology Medical Readiness Training Exercise (MEDRETE) to Regional Hospital Dr. Luis "Chicho" Fabrega in Santiago de Veraguas, Panama. The annual joint service exercise was led by U.S. Southern Command, aimed to enhance the skills and operational readiness of team members by immersing them in a range of prevalent chronic eye conditions in the region. Over three weeks, the team conducted rapid preliminary screenings for 300 patients within just three days. Following this, they accomplished a remarkable total of 291 surgeries over the subsequent eight days, leaving an impact through nearly 750 clinic appointments.

July 11, 2023

59th MDW, VelocityTX partner to advance military research

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — The 59th Medical Wing recently entered a new partnership with Texas nonprofit organization, VelocityTX, to advance military medical research and development.In a Military Cooperative Agreement announced in Spring 2023, the 59th MDW’s Chief Scientist’s Office - Science and Technology and VelocityTX, a subsidiary of the Texas Research and Technology

June 29, 2023

559th THLS commander prepares next generation of medically ready warfighters

Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland, Texas — Lt. Col. Williams Cox intends to continue optimizing trainee readiness and patient-centered care through collaborative health delivery, education, training, and research while simultaneously prioritizing the needs of her airmen to succeed.

June 1, 2023

TriService Nursing Research Program cultivates medical innovative solution through evidence-based practice, research

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas — The TriService Nursing Research Program is the country’s first and only Department of Defense program that supports and fund armed forces nurses to conduct operationally relevant military nursing research and EBP that improves the quality of care provided to service members. TSNRP held its annual Research and Evidence-Based Dissemination Course April 4-6, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. The course serves as an opportunity for military nurse scholars to come together to discuss ongoing and past research, as well as plan future research efforts. Collaboration among all military nurses and military nurse retirees is essential for fostering innovative nursing science solutions and relies on every member to contribute to the overall success.

Feb. 7, 2023

From the battlefield to the football field: Air Force surgeon’s skills knows no bounds

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — On January 2nd, when many football fans were watching the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals, Lt. Col. Valerie Sams, an Air Force surgeon, was on call at UC Health’s University of Cincinnati Medical Center not knowing what she was about to face.

Oct. 27, 2022

Air Force SMART program sustains readiness and currency through tailored training

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — The Air Force’s Sustained Medical and Readiness Trained, or SMART, program has become a dynamic training platform. Through tailored training and multidisciplinary opportunities, Air Force medics retain their currency and are ready for the fight.

Oct. 5, 2021

Medical readiness training through the pandemic

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-CAMP BULLIS, Texas — The 59th Medical Readiness Training Center continues to provide the highest level of training for medics across the Air Force Medical Service prior to deployment as well as ensuring skills remain current.