BSC Airmen united

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kedesha Pennant
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Biomedical Science Corps, a part of the Air Force Medical Service, just wrapped up celebrating its 49th anniversary Jan. 27-31, with the second annual BSC Appreciation Week.

The Biomedical Service Corps is the largest officer corps in the Air Force Medical Service. The officer-based association consists of 17 different career fields Air Force-wide and more than 2,000 officers. Ten of these professions are represented at the 7th Medical Group: bioenvironmental engineers, physical therapists, optometrists, psychologists, aerospace physiologists, laboratory officers, social workers, physician assistants, public health officers and pharmacists. To recognize its various professions, the appreciation week was established last year.

"The officer, enlisted and civilian personnel who fill these medical occupations provide diverse support for the mission at Dyess and abroad," said Maj. Adam Klemens, 7th Medical Group BSC executive.

In fact, the bioenvironmental flight and the physical therapy clinic here are fully staffed by the BSC.

Bioenvironmental engineer specialists identify, analyze and control occupational and environmental hazards.

Occupational hazards include radiation exposure, chemicals and noise in the workplace. Environmental hazards include lead in water; therefore, bioenvironmental specialists ensure drinking water is safe and up to state and Environmental Protection Agency standards.

"We identify and analyze occupational hazards through air sampling and noise leveling," said Capt. Matthew Freeman, 7th Aerospace Medical Squadron bioenvironmental flight officer-in-charge. "We control these hazards through engineering and administrative controls, as well as through personal protective equipment."

An objective of the bioenvironmental flight is to make sure processes are safe and efficient in order to generate missions.

"The biggest part of our mission is making sure personnel are protected while doing their jobs so they can continue doing so," Freeman said. "I love this flight, so coming to work every day with these great people is what I enjoy about my job the most."

Located in the Dyess Fitness Center, the physical therapy clinic evaluates and examines injuries in order to return personnel to their full capability. They routinely see personnel who are either deploying on short notice or who have potential medical problems that could keep them from deploying.

"Active duty members who have a neuromuscular injury, disease or disorder that impacts their life, job or fitness requirements are seen by us to restore them back to shape as quickly as possible," said Maj. Daniel Watson, 7th Medical Operations Squadron physical therapy flight commander.

Patients are not required to see their primary care manager before making an appointment at the Dyess physical therapy clinic.

"I appreciate being able to be seen right away at the physical therapy clinic, which is a great feature Dyess offers," said Master Sgt. Jasmine Chavez, 7th Component Maintenance Squadron jet engine intermediate noncommissioned officer-in-charge.

The physical therapy clinic takes pride in contributing to the medical care Team Dyess receives.

"If I can play some small role in getting someone back to their desired level of function to contribute to the Air Force mission, then that's what I enjoy about my career," Watson said.

The goal of BSC Appreciation Week at Dyess was to set aside time to recognize staff in the various medical career fields within the corps. Activities were planned throughout the week to help commemorate the occasion.

"We have so many different professions within the BSC, so we wanted to come together to acknowledge the impact of the BSC officers and enlisted technicians in these career fields and their efforts that support the mission at Dyess," Klemens said.