News

What does the Medical Support Squadron do?

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Jennifer Baggott
  • 14th Medical Support Squadron Commander
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  It’s one of the first questions I get asked during inspections and interviews. I have found that the easiest way to explain it has been, “we’re like the Mission Support Group of the medical world.”

Depending on the situation and the person who asked, the response may suffice.

Occasionally more information is wanted or needed for the requestor to understand. I will take this opportunity, and liberty, to brag about the great things we do.

Medical support squadrons are the backbone and beating heart of medical groups throughout the Air Force. Often times, the work that is done is tremendous in scope and importance, but so much of it is never seen by our patients and visitors. In fact, much of the work remains a mystery to staff members outside of the squadron … unless something goes wrong.

Ancillary services provide support through various diagnostic and therapeutic services such as the Laboratory, Pharmacy and Radiology. Most people are quite familiar with the services offered at all of these areas. For those with trypanophobia (fear of needles), please inform our staff in advance and Senior Airman Lisa Jackson, 14th MDSS Lab Technician, will take precautions to ensure your comfort and safety.

Our Resource Management team ensures we have the budget and manpower necessary to execute our mission effectively. The Medical Logistics Flight ensures the facility is properly maintained and cleaned, and all of the supplies and medical equipment are safe, correctly calibrated and available for patient care.

The Tricare Operations and Patient Administration staff assists with scheduling appointments on and off-base, assists with medical evaluations board processing and provides registration and beneficiary services information to patients.

Additionally, Airman Christian Burgoyne, 14th MDSS Medical Records Technician, ensures all medical information is properly secured and maintained in paper and electronic medical records, which is essential to providing the proper treatment of all patients.

Medical Readiness takes the lead to ensure all active duty medics are properly prepared and trained for any war or peacetime contingency. Commander’s Support Staff and Medical Information Systems teams tie everything together for the staff.

Personnel support and computers — would any unit function effectively without them? Airman 1st Class Estefania Briceno Ron, 14th MDSS Medical Administration Specialist, is key to the success of all of our personnel programs supporting the group. Her attention to detail enables the staff to concentrate on taking care of our patients’ needs while she takes care of personnel needs.

Today, 16 members of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 17-08 will graduate and receive their silver wings. Many of them have dreamed about this moment since they were small children, but none of them accomplished this feat by themselves.

“The medical support squadron is a huge help for many students,” said Capt. Christopher Johnston, SUPT 17-08 Class Leader. “The airsick program has helped students graduate who otherwise would not have continued training.”

The 14th MDSS partners with the rest of the medical group to make the program possible.

At every commander’s call and during several meetings, I take a moment to review the Team BLAZE Mission … Produce Pilots, Advance Airmen, Feed the Fight. It is the perfect opportunity to remind everyone of what we do … we support the mission.