86th MDG exchanges knowledge with local health care providers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Damon Kasberg
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Health care providers from throughout Germany visited Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 23, to meet with members of the 86th Medical Group.

The visit allowed the 86th MDG to give more than 40 host nation providers an oversight of their mission and exchange knowledge to better serve patients.

"It's important for us to develop a partnership with our civilian providers because they are an integral part of our overall mission," said Lt. Col. Shawn McFarland, 86th MDG medical staff chief. "The 86th MDG is a clinic. First, we defer patients to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The things that can't be seen there or within our military network are then deferred out to our civilian network."

Leadership from all squadrons in the 86th MDG had the opportunity to brief their guest on their roles in the military. The guests were also able to tour medical facilities throughout Ramstein.

For the host nation providers, getting the chance to meet and talk to the Airmen of the 86th MDG was a pleasure.

"I've been so impressed with the organization of this tour," said Yvelise Alfano, Kindsbach clinical psychotherapist. "I think it's really important to have the connection to the actual facility that you work with because seeing is knowing. You can talk on the phone, but not really know what it's like. It's a valuable service to actually see the facility, meet the personnel and see the welcome that everyone gets. It's been said so many times how much the people here value the service of the providers in the community."

Tours such as these not only build better processes and understanding of the Air Force, it also builds stronger professional relationships amongst health care providers, military and civilian.

"Getting to talk to the visitors in person was very refreshing," said Capt. Ryan Garrison, 86th Medical Support Squadron diagnostic and therapeutic flight commander. "I was able to connect with the area laboratory professionals, and they were kind enough to invite me to tour their facilities."

With military members constantly moving to new duty stations, it can be difficult to create these types of relationships, but the 86th MDG hopes to build from this experience by offering more tours in the future.