Koritz Clinic opens doors to new facility

  • Published
  • By Airman John Day
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Columbus Air Force Base held a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 2 to mark the completion of Phase I of a two-phase renovation of the 14th Medical Group's Koritz Clinic.

The clinic was chosen for renovation to increase efficiency and improve facilities. Among the sections that were renovated in Phase I were the Family Medicine Clinic, Flight Medicine Clinic, Pharmacy, Immunizations and Laboratory.

The ribbon was cut to introduce the newly renovated clinic to its beneficiaries. In attendance were the Honorable Robert Smith, Mayor of Columbus, Brent Thompson, representing Congressman Alan Nunnelee and Mississippi's first Congressional District, Mark Brightwell, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager and the lead contractor Craig Stearns, JE Dunn Construction.

The event began with a singing of the national anthem by Richard Smith, 14th Medical Support Squadron, and an invocation by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Brian McCormack.

Speaking at the event was Col. Howard McArthur, Vice Commander, 14th Flying Training Wing.

"They've (14th MDG) done an amazing job as we move through this renovation process, moving to the trailers, doing the shuffle now as we move to Phase II and the whole time essentially having no impact to the service they provide to the men and women at Columbus Air Force Base," McArthur said. "Such an amazing job."

Col. Allen Kidd, 14th MDG Commander, Brightwell, Stearns and McArthur all participated in the cutting of the ribbon for the ceremony.

Afterward, Kidd spoke about the clinic and what it means for the 14th MDG to have a new facility.

"The turnout today is evidence to me of the great support and the character of the people here at Columbus Air Force Base," Kidd said. "The new facility is now properly configured and highly conducive to today's operations and provides a far more pleasant environment for our Medical Group team and our customers."

The ceremony concluded with a tour of the new facility, led by Kidd.

The renovation project began in August 2013. Phase II is scheduled to be complete July 2015.