Sheppard doctors share mission, network with local medical providers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In order to network with and educate local medical providers, the 82nd Medical Group hosted a Network Provider Open House April 7 in Hangar 1045. 

"The goal is to allow care providers to see what our Airmen do and to see what they are contributing to," 82nd Training Wing Commander Brig. Gen. O. G. Mannon said. "This also gives our providers and doctors downtown the opportunity to network and get to know each other." 

Lt. Col. Bret Burton, 82nd Medical Operations Squadron commander, said Sheppard needs partners downtown to refer patients to, especially for patients who need specialized medical care. 

"If it were not for the community of Wichita Falls, we would not be able meet the healthcare needs of our people that carry out the mission here," he said. 

He said it is imperative for Sheppard to have good relationships with the community and members of Altus Air Force Base, Okla., Dyess AFB, Texas, and Fort Sill, Okla., because they all work together and provide services for each other. 

"There are certain aspects we can give and certain things they can provide us, so we need our community together, especially in case of a disaster," Colonel Burton said. "It takes several communities to get the Air Force mission done." 

Lynda Bowers, a TRICARE manager at Fort Sill said getting to know the providers helps communication between Sheppard doctors and their civilian counterparts. 

"The doctors from Sheppard get an opportunity to know the doctors they're referring their patients to. That way if the doctors have questions or issues for each other, they feel more comfortable going to each other to take care of it," she said. 

Some of the activities of the day included an F-22 simulator tour; a B-52, F-15 and F-16 display; a Meals Ready to Eat demonstration and a patient decontamination tent used for patients exposed to chemical or biological contaminants. 

Some of the providers present included representatives of Clinics of North Texas, Kell West Regional Hospital, and North Central Texas Community Health Care Center. Representatives of Texoma Independent Physicians, Altus AFB, Fort Sill, Humana and United Regional Health Care Center were also present.