MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 6th Medical Group from MacDill Air Force Base re-designated two medical squadrons to improve operational readiness for uniformed personnel, June 14 and 24.
The re-designations are a part of an Air Force Medical Service reform effort that was directed by the Secretary of the Air Force after a pilot project at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, showed dramatic readiness improvement.
“To execute the National Defense Strategy, we must increase the readiness and lethality of our expeditionary force by proactively managing care of the Air Force’s most valuable weapon system, its Airmen,” said Col. Christine Berberick, the 6th MDG commander. “Over time, these reforms will drive better integration and standardization of care so patients will have a more consistent, high-quality health care experience no matter where they are.”
Previously, the 6th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron was known as the 6th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, and the 6th Healthcare Operations Squadron was known as the 6th Medical Operations Squadron.
Additionally, the 6th Dental Squadron was deactivated June 26 and realigned as a flight under the new 6th OMRS.
“The reform’s purpose is to enhance operational readiness and force lethality,” said Lt. Col. Ginger Miller, the 6th MDG director of medical management. “Both will be accomplished by improving personnel availability through organizational restructuring.”
Miller explained by implementing the new organizational restructure, the new 6th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron will solely focus on assisting military service members with mission requirements and deployment readiness.
As an additional benefit, the new 6th Healthcare Operations Squadron will be primarily dedicated to helping retirees, dependents and all other beneficiaries under their family health and pediatric clinics.
“Regardless of administrative responsibility, the 6th Medical Group will continue to deliver great quality health care,” said Berberick.
After the squadron re-designations, beneficiaries should know that the 6th Medical Support Squadron’s pharmacy, laboratory and radiology operations will remain unaffected.
“The changes we are undergoing will create a single, integrated military health system designed around our patients while ensuring military readiness for years to come,” said Berberick.
The 6th AMDS, 6th DS and 6th MDOS have been invaluable medical squadrons currently serving more than 215,000 eligible beneficiaries.
These three squadrons have served those in need since their foundation, Sept. 30, 1994.
“Since the 6th MDG’s activation, it has the distinction of operating one of the Air Force’s largest military treatment facilities,” said Stephen Ove, the 6th Air Mobility Wing base historian. “The 6th Medical Group will still honor the [squadrons’] rich history, heritage and traditions that their predecessors instilled.”
These three squadrons won eight Air Force Outstanding Unit awards and the Global War on Terrorism Service award in 2016 during their 25 years of service.
“The changes will be transparent to any of our patients seeking care at the 6th Medical Group,” said Berberick. “Our patients should see little effect on their experience of care as the facility, physicians, health care providers and coverage will remain the same.”
However, one small change patients should notice is the directions marking how to navigate to the new squadrons throughout the 6th MDG clinics.
Though squadron names have changed, the 6th MDG still remains unchanged in their commitment to ensuring Airmen, retirees and their family members receive the highest quality health care while maintaining constant mission readiness.