MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. –
The 305th Medical Group has joined forces with the Army to provide Behavioral Health services and a Troop Medical Clinic to its customers as part of the joint basing initiatives underway here.
"In the interest of joint basing, the 305th MDG 'Health System of One' has taken giant leaps," said Lt. Col. Donald Cole, 305th MDG administrator and 305th Medical Support Squadron commander. "It started with the co-location of Physical Therapy in 2006. Today, in the halls of the 305th MDG, you will find Behavioral Health, Troop Medical Clinic and Veterinarian Administrative Services added to the list. We are very proud of the collaborative spirit of the services on the future joint base. We have reached out to all beneficiaries enrolled to the 'HSO1' to better serve their needs at one location."
"Currently, the Troop Medical Clinic and Behavioral Clinic are managing the mobilized Soldier, but have supported all patients during low mobilization periods throughout the year," Colonel Cole said.
"Our mobilized Soldiers now receive the same high-quality of care in the same modernized facility as our active component members, retirees and family members," said Severn Jackson, Walson Medical Support Element deputy commander of administration.
Several services are offered to the clinic's customers.
"The care provided at our Troop Medical Clinic consists of, but is not limited to, emergency, urgent, non-urgent (acute), non-urgent (chronic), self-care, outpatient, daily sick call, physicals, follow-ups, medical hold over sick call, appointments, PAP smears, Line of Duty documentation, profiles, and clearing Soldiers and referrals to pending consults," Mr. Jackson said. "Our Behavioral Health Clinic provides mental health services limited to activated reservists who are in a mobilizing/demobilizing status."
The initiatives seem to be based on teamwork; a group effort to serve all.
"In the era of tight medical resources, it is always a wonderful experience to see the services come together to serve the needs of our enrolled beneficiary populations," Colonel Cole said.
"An example of true medical teamwork between services has been in the primary care, optometry, and dental areas where enrolled patients have been seen by both Air Force and Army providers and technicians," Colonel Cole said.
"We are working with the Navy to have their staff from Lakehurst join us in patient care areas as well," he said.
"As the joint base grows in beneficiaries, the 'HSO1' is ahead of the pack in anticipating the needs of its beneficiaries, currently enrolled and projected," Colonel Cole said.
Although still considered independent, the joint service initiatives seem to be uniting the different branches.
"While our clinics remain independent and operate separately, value-added efficiencies are realized as we continue to evolve to meet the ever-changing medical needs," Mr. Jackson said. "We are now in a position to surmount traditional cultural differences between the branches. Through daily interaction between the staff, we develop an increased appreciation of our diversity as we rally around a shared commitment to exemplify a high standard of care in meeting the medical needs of our Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen -- our heroes. To date, we have received nothing but favorable feedback from the Soldiers."