JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Nurses and technicians are an indispensable part of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph's 359th Medical Group, providing care for thousands of Airmen, retirees and their families.
Randolph's more than 90 nurses and technicians offer daily care in family health, pediatrics, flight medicine and immunization, working on nine teams in a patient-centered medical home that focuses on the personal relationship between patient and provider.
"Randolph has two patient-centered medical homes in pediatrics and seven in the family care clinic," Lt. Col. Patricia John, 359th MDG chief nurse, said. "The medical group's nurses and technicians have made significant contributions to the delivery of patient care to the Randolph's community of beneficiaries. Their teamwork has earned the 359th MDG the recognition of best PCMH teams three out of four quarters in fiscal 2011 and was also awarded No. 1 medical treatment facility throughout the Air Force Medical Service."
Most of the team consists of active-duty members, but civilian nurses provide continuity.
John said the 359th MDG has "a great group of civilian nurses."
"They are integral to the team," she said. "They are professional and dedicated to the mission."
John said technicians are "an extension to nursing care."
"They have their own scope of practice," she said. "With their skills and our nurses' skills, we partner to provide top-notch patient care."
Master Sgt. Gwendolyn Gaines, 359th Medical Group medical technician functional manager, said the youngest members of the nurse-technician team come to the clinic highly educated and brimming with ideas, while the civilian nurses represent a range of backgrounds and offer a wealth of experience.
"When it all comes together, it works very well," she said.
Gaines said her goal is to be a "positive mentor/leader to all nursing service personnel, enlisted and officer."
"My many deployments had afforded me experience some medical techs will never encounter in a stateside arena, and I want them to be ready for any mission," she said. "Our mission is to take care of patients and maintain our wartime readiness."
John said she is most proud of technicians' "enthusiasm, willingness and passion to take care of patients."
Gaines said they're "striving for excellence every day."
"They give 110 percent," she said. "They are so motivated and so eager."
Last week, the medical group showed its appreciation to its team of more than 90 nurses and technicians with a week full of activities, from a kickoff breakfast May 7 in the dental conference room to a banquet May 11 at JBSA-Lackland's Gateway Club.
"Nurse and Technician Appreciation Week is an opportunity to let our team members know we care about them," John said. "It makes them feel appreciated and valued."
Nurse and Technician Appreciation Week is an annual observance that coincides with the birth of Florence Nightingale, founder of the nursing profession and pioneer of modern nursing, on May 12, 1820.
A number of highlights marked the Randolph observance last week, including a scavenger hunt May 8, a nursing trivia contest May 9 and a "guess who" contest May 9 with an assortment of prizes, from movie tickets to gift cards. In addition, group and squadron commanders gave up their parking spots for one week to prize winners.
The trivia contest featured nursing history and clinical practice questions, while the "guess who" contest allowed personnel to identify their co-workers from their baby pictures displayed on a board in the family care waiting area.
A new event this year was the 359th MDG's first Nurse/Tech Week 5K Run on the Randolph Oaks Golf Course track May 10. Airman 1st Class Francisco Contreras placed first, followed by Staff Sgt. Carolina Marin Soto and Staff Sgt. Samuel Medellin Almaguer.
Other events were an ice cream social May 10 and the nurse/technician luncheon May 11. Col. Lorrie Cappellino, Nurse Utilization and Education Branch chief for the Air Force Personnel Center Medical Service Officer Management Division, and Senior Master Sgt. Jeremy Rennahan of Air Education and Training Command addressed the theme "Setting Goals for a Successful Nursing Career."
The week concluded with the Lamplighter Awards Banquet, which includes recognition of nurses and technicians for superior performance in several categories. The 359th MDG's winners this year were Maj. Janet Blanchard and Master Sgt. Andrew Cannarozzo.
The medical group also saluted its nurses and technicians with a story board that showed their accomplishments and service to the Air Force through the decades.