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The 60th Medical Group held a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the end of the Phase III Modernization Project at David Grant USAF Medical Center Aug. 4.
For the past nine years, DGMC has undergone three different phases of improvements and modifications spanning 3,000 square feet and totaling more than $140 million.
Phase I of DGMC’s structural improvements and modernization program started in 2008 marking the first-large-scale facelift to the Air Force’s flagship medical center since it opened in 1988. Phase I was completed in June 2011.
Phase II started in December 2012, which included multi-departmental enhancements in diagnostic imaging, optometry, allergy and immunization clinic, ear, nose and throat clinic and musculoskeletal clinic. Phase II was finished in 2014.
The $54 million Phase III renovations began in the spring of 2014 with labor and delivery, operating room administrative and support services, mental health clinic and education departments being the first areas to see extensive healthcare design improvements.
A state-of-the-art surgery center added two operating rooms, increasing the hospital’s surgical capabilities by 25. Additionally, the oral surgery clinic, women’s health clinic, heart lung vascular clinic, minor procedure surgical clinics and intensive care unit have all been updated as apart of these modernization efforts.
“We’ve increased our surgical capabilities here,” said Lewis Martin, Air Force Surgeon General, Air Force Medical Support Agency, health facilities project director. “By consolidating the clinics, we don’t have nurses running all over taking care of patients, we only need one or two.”
Martin added that these improvements help give DGMC new abilities in surgical procedures, thus enhancing patient care.
The project also received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certification in energy conversation such as water and energy usage and air quality.
“This provides us the ability to deliver on our long term promises,” said Col. John Klein, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. “We make a promise to our veterans, their families and our military members that they’re going to be taken care of. This allows us to do that better.”
DGMC is the first thing people see when they drive down Air Base Parkway to Travis Air Force Base, said Col. Michael Higgins, 60th Medical Group commander.
“It is the first look at this power projection platform that we have here,” said Higgins.
The upgrades to the hospital happened while still providing care to patients.
“The building itself, the infrastructure we have here, is in itself an organism,” said Higgins. “It has vital organs associated with it, and it’s very complicated and constantly changing, and it takes an enormous amount of professionalism, science and teamwork to make that happen. All while the staff has been changing and the engine’s been running and we’ve never stopped seeing patients.”
Phase IV is planned for the future to modernize the inpatient rooms, the joint radiology and oncology clinics, other clinic space throughout the medical center, as well as the satellite pharmacy at the base exchange.
“We heal heroes, we protect heroes and we train heroes,” said Higgins. “This helps us sharpen our tools so when we go down range, it’s a bad day for the enemy and if it happens to be a bad day for us, we’re bringing the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen home alive to see their parents, because that’s what we’re here for.”
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.08.2017 18:34 |
| Story ID: | 244158 |
| Location: | TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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