Local medical providers receive 'thank you' in form of base tour

Published Aug. 27, 2008
By Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl L. Toner
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- For the first time since the end of 2006, local medical providers were given a tour of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Here, they didn't see their normal broken bones and back problems; on Aug. 22, the providers were able to finally see where Sabers broke their bones and pulled their back muscles.

About 50 medical network providers who handle specialty care off base for the wing's Airmen were given a base tour, as well as afforded a close look at both an F-16 and A-10. "All they see are planes flying overhead and making a lot of noise, so we wanted to show them what we do and how much we appreciate them," said Capt. Jason Tompkins, 52nd Medical Squadron, TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration Flight.

Following briefings by both Col. Tip Wight, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, and Col. Lorrie Cappellino, 52nd Medical Group commander, local and base providers broke into groups and essentially talked "shop."

"We wanted to see how we can better deliver the patient to them, what issues they're having, what they can do better, how to make the language barriers go down, follow-up visits, etc.," said Captain Tompkins. He said the goal was also to thank local providers for what they've done for the base, especially in the last year.

"We went from a hospital to a clinic and this meant 150 percent increase to the local network since July last year," said Captain Tompkins. "Hospitals have leaned way forward, providing office space for patient liaison officers, doing English training; some have even hired English teachers on staff," he said of the four local hospitals.

"They've really stepped out for us, so this was our opportunity to get some face time, allow cross talk and thank them for what they do for us every day," he said. He also said that the on- and off-base providers - including dentists - meet often; however, not all at once.

For the tour, he said the goal is to do it annually, but he said there was a large turnover of the medical group leadership, as well as the transition from the hospital to clinic, so Captain Tompkins said of this tour, that "it was a perfectly timed event."

As with any event, there are always people behind the scenes who make it happen. The captain said it wouldn't have been possible or gone so well if it was not for support from the medical group, the community relations office, protocol, Club Eifel, the Weapons Standardization Section and both the F-16 and A-10 communities. "This was not a 'medical' event; it was a true 'wing' effort," he said.

So, Captain Tompkins said, for any Saber who needs medical care off base, rest assured that regardless of the doc's or technician's native language, the concern for the best possible care is always there.

German medical