59th Medical Wing integrates missions, strengthens operational medical readiness

Photo By Staff Sgt. Amanda Stanford | Col. Rebecca Blackwell, 559th Medical Group commander, hands the guidon to Lt. Col. Jeffrey Autrey, 559th Medical Squadron commander during the 559th Medical Squadron redesignation ceremony Oct. 30, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Lt. Col. Autrey was previously the commander of the 359th Medical Operations Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Stanford)  

TX, UNITED STATES

10.30.2019

Story by Kiley Keenzel 

59th Medical Wing

The 59th Medical Wing activated the 559th Medical Squadron in a redesignation ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio – Randolph, Texas, Oct. 30, 2019, after deactivating the 359th Medical Group.
The squadron will continue the mission of providing comprehensive health services for nearly 25,000 eligible beneficiaries in the greater San Antonio area.
This mission realignment allows the 559th MDG to absorb the administrative responsibilities and operation of the squadron, streamlining efficiencies and improving patient access to care and services.
“The healthcare delivery and medical readiness mission at JBSA-Randolph is not changing,” said Maj. Gen. John J. DeGoes, 59th MDW commander. “The 59th MDW is adapting to provide even better service to this important mission in line with the priorities of the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the National Defense Strategy. Namely, to improve mission effectiveness and lethality through enhanced medical readiness. By aligning the Randolph medics under the 559th MDG, we will consolidate all wing operational medical assets under one medical group, enhancing both effectiveness and efficiency.”
Medics assigned to the Randolph Clinic have been delivering world class healthcare since 1931.
Comprised of more than 300 staff members, the 559th MDS provides comprehensive medical and dental care, aerospace physiology training, disaster response, health promotion, and occupational/public health services to nearly 30 mission partners on Randolph AFB.
“Today, as the 559th MDS joins the 559th MDG, we merge our missions of direct support to Air Education Training Command, by our operational alignment with the 37th Training Wing and 12th Flying Training Wing,” said Col. Rebecca Blackwell, 559th MDG commander. “We’ve built great opportunity for synergy, and operational excellence both in ensuring medical ready Airmen and ready medical Airmen to renew the force for increasing lethality.”
The 559th MDG provides care to active-duty military members and dependents, as well as basic military trainees, technical training students, and students from around the world studying at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center and Inter-American Air Forces Academy.

• Date Taken: 10.30.2019
• Date Posted: 10.30.2019 16:11
• Story ID: 349956
• Location: TX, US