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Air Force, Army join forces for physical therapy

  • Published
  • By Airman Rebekah Phy
  • McGuire Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  The 305th Medical Group Clinic physical therapy department recently joined forces with Fort Dix as part of the base merging efforts currently underway.

"This is the first joint physical therapy clinic where Air Force and Army therapists are located under one roof, sharing resources and space, under the concept of the Healthcare System of One," said Maj. Susan Davidson, 305th Medical Group joint physical therapy flight commander.

"We have been collocated with the Army since August," Major Davidson said. "The vision for the future of the military and the military medical system is to become joint - working and fighting together as a team. We are helping lead the way as this becomes a joint base."

There have been, and will continue to be, many benefits to the physical therapy merge.

"Sharing space, resources and manpower will enable us to save the Air Force and DoD $880,000 in physical therapy referrals to the civilian network, and eventually, once all programs are collocated in the McGuire Clinic, $2.4 million per year," Major Davidson said.

"The troop medical clinic on Fort Dix will be relocating to the 305th Medical Group in 2007," the major added. "We had space for the move, so it just made sense to collocate and reduce the overhead costs of running two facilities. The Health System of One concept will provide the patient one-stop shopping for primary care and some specialties."

The transition for the Air Force and Army appears to be going smoothly thus far, and the future outlook of joint physical therapy seems positive.

"So far we have been working quite well together sharing space, resources and equipment," the major said. "We have our own separate chains of command, with the Air Force retaining operational control," Major Davidson said. "The future merging of the budgets and different Air Force/Army standards may present challenges, but so far we have been working well together."

The advantages to the Air Force and Army joint physical therapy clinic seem to far outweigh any minor challenges they may come to face, and both the Fort Dix and McGuire communities will reap the benefits.

"When we are fully integrated and sharing staff/manpower, we will provide care to active duty, family members and retirees," Major Davidson said. "The increase in staff will allow us to open up access to physical therapy services as well as recapture the civilian network referrals going downtown."

Gloria Ross, 305th MDG lead physical therapist, agrees.

"We will be able to see more patients, save money and treat some of the patients who are sent out now," Ms. Ross said.

"Overall, we will be one," she said. "And there will be no blue, green and so forth."