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News & Gallery

Articles

Oct. 24, 2023

59th Medical Wing’s own honored with Aerospace Medical Association fellowship

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Dr. Paul M. Sherman, was recently honored with a fellowship for his exceptional contributions to aerospace medicine at the 2023 Aerospace Medical Association's 93rd Annual Scientific Meeting. Dr. Sherman, currently serving as the Director of Radiological and Aerospace Medical Research at the 59th Medical Wing Chief Scientist’s Office, Defense Health Agency, Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, Texas, has had a distinguished career. He previously served at the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine and the 711th Human Performance Wing, retiring with the rank of colonel after 27 years of service.

Oct. 17, 2023

Military health and readiness improved through collaboration with small business

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.

Oct. 3, 2023

59th MDW: Chief Scientist’s medical director selected as DARPA program manager

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Adam Willis, formerly a Medical Director and Clinician Scientist of the 59th Medical Wing Chief Scientist’s Office, now serves as the program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in the Biotechnologies Office. His role in the BTO is developing new programs to push technology development and generating new technologic solutions for the warfighter. He also oversees existing programs, creates training for faculty, and builds Small Business Initiative Research and Small Business Technology Transfer opportunities, with a focus on operational needs.

Oct. 2, 2023

Royal Thai Air Force nurses team up with 59th MDW for U.S. healthcare collaboration

During July and August 2023, the 59th Medical Wing hosted a team of five Royal Thai Air Force nurses from Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Sai Mai District, Bangkok, Thailand, known for delivering primary care services to RTAF personnel and the wider community. The nurses were immersed in the U.S. Air Force’s comprehensive healthcare system, global medical readiness initiatives, research, innovation, and international relations. This unique initiative fostered knowledge exchange between RTAF nurses and their American peers.

Sept. 26, 2023

Air Force Postgraduate Dental School residency seeks patients

The Air Force Postgraduate Dental School's (AFPDS) Periodontics residency program at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland is evaluating patients for treatment within the residency.If your dentist has recommended treatment for periodontal disease, dental implants, bone grafting, extractions, or gum recession, you may qualify for treatment.The criteria

Sept. 20, 2023

Flight nurse devoted to helping others overcomes adversity

Within the walls of the Gateway Club at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, decades-worth of timeless military memorabilia are displayed as a witness to the courage and dedication of countless service members. It is a place where people come together to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of our service members. On August 30, 2023, family, friends, and colleagues gathered to commemorate the retirement of Lt. Col. (ret.) Dana Duerr. Prior to becoming a patient with the Airman Medical Transition Unit (AMTU), she served as the Senior Program Manager of the Nurse Corps Education and Training Program at the Air Force Medical Readiness Agency. Duerr, accompanied by a Wounded Warriors volunteer, sat in her wheelchair, donned in her service dress uniform, and connected to a breathing device during the ceremony. In the front row sat her family, among them was her 24-year-old daughter, Mikaela, elegantly dressed in a white blouse adorned with blue flowers, green dress pants, and golden butterfly earrings that complimented her golden hair. For both Duerr and Mikaela, this ceremony was bittersweet; marking the culmination of 29 years of service filled with long days, late nights, and numerous sacrifices. However, amidst all the changes and challenges, one constant remained — their support for each other. As Duerr expressed her gratitude to her daughter, Mikaela smiled gently, tears slowly traced down her cheek.

Sept. 19, 2023

“CSION” develops leaders in military medical research

The ability of military clinicians to conduct medical research is often limited by competing demands and a lack of mentorship opportunities. The 59th Medical Wing’s Chief Scientist’s Office (59 MDW/ST) is working to remove these barriers and improve the realm of health care with the Clinician Scientist Investigator Opportunity Network or “CSION.” 

Sept. 15, 2023

One-year anniversary of Urology ‘first’ at Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center

One year ago on an early September morning, a team performed the first endoscopic stone removal surgery at Wilford Hall since its designation as an ambulatory surgical center.That day, there was a noticeable buzz among the Same-Day Surgery staff as they moved briskly through the halls of the WHASC to prepare for this historic procedure.U.S. Air

Sept. 13, 2023

Mission of compassion: surgeons restore sight and forge connections in 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

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.

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