Nurse and Tech Week recognizes those that care

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
 

The 90th Medical Group clinic are celebrating National Nurse and Tech Week May 8-12 in recognition of the important roles nurses and medical technicians play in the Mighty Ninety’s healthcare.

 

“This week is to honor the nurses and medical technicians that help the Airmen, dependents and retirees that seek medical assistance from our clinic,” said Tech. Sgt. Renelyn Pagan, 90th Medical Operations Squadron personnel reliability assurance program clinic NCO in charge. “The week is based on Florence Nightingale’s birthday, one of the main founders of modern nursing, born May 12, 1820.”

 

The clinic is one of two that was highlighted for the best customer satisfaction across the Air Force’s 76 medical treatment facilities in 2017. This year the National Nurses week theme is “Nursing: the balance of mind, body, and spirit.” The military focus is on health care as a team effort.

 

“The professional nurses and technicians of the Mighty Ninety are on the front lines of the team effort every day,” said Lt. Col. John Modra, 90th MDOS commander. “They are the sensors ensuring access, quality and safety for the 12,700 visits at the 90th MDG each quarter. It's an honor to lead this incredible team supporting the ICBM mission and providing exceptional care to our community.”

 

Below is your team of professional nurses and medical technicians:

 

PRAP and Flight Medicine Team

 

PRAP Clinic

The Personnel Reliability Assurance Program Clinic provides care for personnel on the Personnel Reliability Program and with Arming and Use of Force status, with the exception of those who are on flying or special status. The PRAP clinic provides routine, acute, preventive and wellness services, as well as minor surgeries. In addition to providing medical care, the clinic is responsible for reviewing all medical records for PRP certification.

 

Kay Reed, 90th MDOS clinical nurse.

“I wanted to become a nurse to help people. Seeing things through and knowing the patient is getting the help they need is rewarding.”

 

Flight Medicine

Flight Medicine provides services and care for military members on flying or special operational duty status and their family members. Services provided are routine care of acute illnesses and injury, minor surgery, preventive healthcare and counseling.

 

Family Health

Family Health

The Family Health Clinic provides primary medical care to patients from birth to geriatric age for active duty, their families and retirees. The clinic consists of Family Medicine, Pediatric, and Women’s Health. Services include primary care diagnoses and treatment of acute illness, chronic disease management, well-child care, adult physical exams, developmental and behavioral evaluation, and preventive health care.

 

Airman 1st Class Hayes McCracken, 90th MDOS medical technician.

“We do just about everything, whether it’s sore throats or more extensive procedures. I wanted to do something that I enjoyed while being challenged. The payoff of this job is knowing that I help others.”

 

Isela DeHerrera, 90th MDOS registered nurse.

“I wanted to be a nurse because I really enjoyed the field and there are many opportunities and types of nursing to get involved in. What is rewarding is when you go above and beyond for a patient and they recognize it and thank you for it.”

 

Shelly Jelsma, 90th MDOS licensed practical nurse.

“I love working for pediatrics. I wanted to be a nurse since I was a little kid, but didn’t become a nurse until later in my life. My son was an explosive ordnance disposal specialist in the U.S. Marines, so I am a patriot. I like being able to work with the military and with children.”

 

Specialty Care Nurses

The specialty care nurses are divided into the medical management and Tricare Operations and Patient Administration office staff. The medical management is composed of disease, case, utilization manager and health care integrator. They are responsible for patient education on specific illnesses, coordinating care, emergency room reports and preventative care screenings. The TOPA nurses are responsible for referrals, debt collection and beneficiary counseling.

 

Command Section

The Command section deals with day-to-day operations and supervision of the 90th Medical Group. They take care of the unit providers so they can take care of you.

 

Master Sgt. Karen Harr, 90 MDOS superintendent.

“I am in charge of 143 Airmen in the MDOS of 12 different job specialties. I work with the best Airmen in this missile wing, they do incredible things every day taking care of our missileers, PRP members, security forces and all of our Mighty Ninety family. If it weren’t for the medics and nurses the mission in this wing wouldn’t happen.”

 

Col. Cherron Galluzzo, 90 MDG commander.

“The 90th Medical Group delivers exceptional care to our Mighty Ninety family. It is an honor for me to work with such a professional and dedicated team of nurses and medical technicians!”