341st MDG launches Air Force medical reform

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob M. Thompson
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The 341st Medical Group hosted a squadron reorganization ceremony August 16, 2019, at the Grizzly Bend on Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., to commemorate a medical reform, resulting in a restructuring of the group.

The 341st MDG underwent the organizational reform to restore readiness and increase lethality of all Airmen, while also ensuring the delivery of the highest quality care to beneficiaries.

The 341st Medical Support Squadron became the 341st Healthcare Operations Squadron and the 341st Medical Operations Squadron became the 341st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron.

Under the reform, the OMRS will focus primarily on providing proactive care to active duty Airmen, focused on improving Airmen availability for operational requirements. The HCOS will emphasize primarily on providing care to non-active duty patients, mainly beneficiaries and retirees.

“By restructuring our squadrons, our doctors on the OMRS side can devote more time and care to our active duty Airmen,” said Col. Jeremy Hooper, 341st Medical Group commander. “On the HCOS side, we can provide quicker access for our beneficiaries and retirees to see a provider and increase healthcare satisfaction.”

The medical reform is an Air Force Chief of Staff initiative occurring across each Air Force Medical Service clinic and is modeled after a successful trial at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

“We had more than 400 Airmen on the base who were considered “non-mission capable” when we launched in March 2018,” said Col. Steven Ward, the former 366th Wing Surgeon General at Mountain Home. “In six months, we reduced that number by nearly one-fourth. Our provider teams focused relentlessly on getting Airmen back into the fight.”

Although the medical group has undergone changes, their primary mission remains the same as it has always been, said Chief Master Sgt. Jill Higgins, 341st MDG superintendent.

“We take pride in what we do,” said Higgins. “In the medical group, we operate, secure and maintain the Air Force’s most important weapon system: our people.”