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JBSA News
NEWS | March 20, 2018

59th Medical Wing flexes integrated healthcare capability

By Staff Sgt. William Blankenship 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs

A water main broke at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph March 14, resulting in no fresh water at the Randolph Clinic.

Rather than shutting down and cancelling appointments, the 359th Medical Group practiced patient centeredness and quickly shifted operations by leveraging the resources of the entire 59th Medical Wing.  

"In our continuous effort to become a high reliability organization, we have a commitment to resilience, which is particularly important for a military healthcare system,” said Lt. Col. Jeanette Watterson, 359th Medical Operations Squadron’s commander.

“By practicing what it means to be an integrated healthcare organization, we were able to quickly modify operations to ensure the best possible care to our patients," Watterson said. "Under the leadership of Col. Robert Bogart, 59th MDW’s Medical Operations Group Commander and Col. Kyle Pelkey, 59th MDW’s Dental Group Commander, our fellow Warrior Medics at JBSA-Lackland and the North Central Federal Clinic provided the support that enabled us to continue seeing patients at alternate locations throughout San Antonio."

The 59th Medical Wing Texting Service showcased why many are very excited about the new communication tool.  As wing leadership became aware of the situation, staff and beneficiaries who had signed up for alerts to be messaged to their mobile device instantly became aware of their multiple appointment updates and options.

“The best part about the 59th Medical Wing Texting Service is that it does not require beneficiaries to accomplish any kind of registration process, or to download any app onto their phones,” said Candido Ramirez, the 59th MDW’s Director of Staff.

“Users simply opt-in by texting 59MDWALERT to 99000.  The next time patient care is interrupted within the 59th Medical Wing, they will receive a text message directly to their phone with specific information.  It really is that simple!”

For more information about the 59th MDW, including new 59th Medical Wing Texting Service, visit http://www.59mdw.af.mil/text/.