7MDG hosts Medical Provider Collaboration tour for Big Country medical professionals

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Colin Hollowell
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

The 7th Medical Group hosted approximately 150 medical staff and professionals from the Abilene community for a medical provider collaboration tour on Oct. 14, 2022, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

During the event, Big Country medical professionals toured the B-1 and C-130J static aircraft by aircrew, and received unclassified mission briefings to provide a deeper understanding of the unique Lift and Strike mission set that medical community partners support and enable by providing care for Team Dyess Airmen.

“Our Abilene community counterparts are top notch medical professionals,” said 2nd Lt. Serena Kim, 7th Healthcare Operations Squadron TRICARE operations and patient administration flight commander. “The reality is that we can do a lot here at the Med Group, but we can't do everything. Our medical professionals fill that gap, and then some, by providing specialized medical care to our service members.”

“They even collaborate with us during large scale exercises that simulate high casualty scenarios to ensure we are always prepared to seamlessly integrate with our civilian partners,” she added.

In past years, the medical provider collaboration tour was a regular event that allowed military and off-base providers to cross-communicate each other's needs. However, the tour has been paused for the last two years while both sides helped fight to keep the Big Country safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This tour is a celebrated event for all of us medical professionals, especially after the demanding and uncertain last couple of years,” said Kim. “This event serves many purposes, but it’s also an opportunity to come together and honor our shared efforts during the pandemic.”

By showcasing the base, aircraft, and the Lift and Strike mission-set, the local community gets to connect with the population they are supporting.

“Abilene has a great relationship with Dyess AFB and has for years,” said Craig Hunnicutt, Hendricks Hospital director of regional services. “The more that the healthcare community knows about what’s going on, the better our ability to compliment how we serve the Airmen in their families.”