Meet the new 90th Medical Group Commander, Col. Galluzzo

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. --  

Col. Cherron Galluzzo assumed command of the 90th Medical Operations Group here, July 19.

 

She has served in a variety of leadership and key positions at the major command, wing and squadron levels.

 

Prior to leading the Mighty Ninety, Galluzzo was the Inpatient Operations Squadron commander for the 96th Medical Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

 

As the 90th MDG commander, Galluzzo leads a staff of more than 200 responsible for medical care for over 4,000 military and civilian members on Warren and from the local community.

 

The 90th MDG ensures the nuclear reliability and deployability of wing personnel; delivers cost-effective, accessible, community-based health care; promotes healthy lifestyles through preventive medical services and education; and prepares, mobilizes and deploys medical resources for contingency operations worldwide.

 

Q: Why did you decide to join the Air Force and become an officer in the medical career field?

 

A: “It’s an interesting story. There was an Air Force recruiter at a job fair for nurses getting ready to graduate, and no one would go near his table. I went up to him and asked him a few questions, and his face lit up when we started talking about planes. In the end he asked for my number, and I gave it to him with no intention of ever speaking to him again. Some time passes and lo and behold, I’m on a plane to Eglin AFB, to tour the hospital facilities with 30 other nurse recruits. While there, the nurse core recruiter looked at me and said, ‘you’re going to join the fold.’ I didn’t quite understand at the time. Later, while working in a nursing home, the Air Force called with my first assignment: Andrews AFB. I remember hearing a small voice in my head that said very simply, ‘go.’ After I swore in, I received a card from the core nurse recruiter that read, ‘Welcome to the fold.’ I think it was my destiny.”

 

Q: What do you look forward to most about being with the 90th Missile Wing?

 

A: “I look forward to learning about the nuclear mission. My background is in Air Mobility Command, and I’ve done aeromedical evacuations and cared for patients intratheater. I’ve not yet been exposed to this side of the Air Force, but I’m looking forward to learning about our role in the nuclear enterprise and gaining a deeper appreciation of the overall mission.”

 

Q: How does your group’s mission contribute to nuclear deterrence?

 

A: “As always, we provide medical support to our total force team, to include Air National Guard members. We care for soldiers, sailors, Airmen and Marines, and we take care of their families. Service members can go out to the field and feel rest assured their loved ones will be cared for."

 

Q: How will you ensure the mission is safe, secure and effective?

 

A: “It’s all about training. As long as we’re consistent in our training and ensuring we maintain the most cutting edge equipment while practicing the business of delivering quality healthcare, then that leaves the most important piece, which is the continuity of care.”

 

Q: What are some operational goals you have in mind for the 90th MDG?

 

A: “The most important goal is making sure that we have access to our facility. Making sure we can see our patients when they need to be seen. The second piece is making sure we are being responsible stewards of our resources and maximizing our internal capabilities. A third goal for me is to expand MiCare. People do everything on the internet, so being able to go online and schedule appointments, request medication refills or see lab results through secure messaging is so important. I think focusing on these three goals will take our patient satisfaction rates to the next level.”

 

Q: What do you expect from the Airmen of the 90th MDG?

 

A: “I expect my Airmen to be critical thinkers. I want them to feel empowered to resolve issues and take care of patient needs at the lowest level. We are here to provide services, to help our patients and to make life easier for families. Your medical care has to be done right. We can’t get it  right 60 percent of the time; if we don’t get it 100 percent right, there can be not so great outcomes. Our medics are very highly trained in their respective areas, whether it be the pharmacy or optometry, they are capable of doing a lot.”