48th MDG makes it three in a row

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Connor Estes
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The 48th Medical Group continued its winning streak for the third consecutive Air Force Surgeon General's Best Hospital of the Year award, a feat some among the group thought was unlikely.

"It is unheard of that a hospital could win three years in a row," said Col. Joseph Legan, 48th MDG commander. "I could not be more proud; it's just absolutely unbelievable... I'm speechless."

One aspect that makes the 48th MDG unique is the service it provides throughout the U.K.

"What some people don't realize is that we not only serve the 48th Fighter Wing, but the 100th Air Refueling Wing and the 501st Combat Support Wing and we're including space available patients," said Legan.

With such a wide area of responsibility, Legan stated the support they received from the wing helped make this success possible.

"We have great support from the rest of the base and from our wing leadership," said Legan. "The 48th Mission Support Group helps us with a lot of things we do."

Airmen in the 48th MDG cite different reasons as the key to all the recent success.

"Our training has a lot to do with it," said Senior Airman Robin Hansen, 48th Dental Squadron pediatric dental technician. "We do so many simulated scenarios, which allow us to know what to do in almost every type of situation that may come up at any given time."

For Legan the answer to having an award winning group comes down to one word: people.

"It's possible when you have the best people all moving in the same direction to achieve one goal, then great things can happen," said Legan. "They're awesome, they know what to do and get it done every single day. It makes my job very easy."

Maj. Theresa Clark, 48th Inpatient Operations Squadron maternal inpatient flight commander, suggested the interaction between the 48th MDG and the local community is another key to the win.

"I think we have a great opportunity here because we work really well with our U.K. counterparts," said Clark.

Even after winning three annual awards in a row, Clark doesn't think the group should let up their hard work.

"My first thought of winning the award is we have to step it up so we can win it four years in a row," said Clark.

Follow the 48th MDG on Facebook here and keep up with the 48th Fighter Wing on the official Facebook page

www.facebook.com/RAFLakenheath.