Incirlik Airmen strengthen partnership with local doctors

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Airmen at the 39th Medical Group here held an open house for their Turkish counterparts from two local hospitals March 10, to build stronger partnerships between the organizations, 39th Medical Group officials said.

More than 30 doctors, nurses, general managers, and administrators from the Birlesik Saglik Kurumlari Metropark Hospital and Acibadem Hospital, two hospitals in Adana, Turkey attended the event, which was the first of its kind in over a decade, officials said.

"We are working hard to foster and build strong partnerships with our local healthcare partner hospitals, Acibadem and Metropark, in order to provide the best medical care possible for our beneficiaries," said Col. Jay Cloutier, the 39th Medical Group commander. "It was important to open our facility to our partners to show who we are and what we have available."

The open house provided Medical Group personnel the opportunity to highlight their work centers to the downtown providers. The tour included facilities such as family practice, the immunizations clinic, the TRICARE office, the pharmacy, the dental clinic, radiology, and the laboratory and surgery rooms.

Since the 39th Medical Group does not have a full-scale hospital, Airmen and their family members are often referred to the local community for medical treatment.

"In opening our doors, we were able to let them behind the fence to meet our providers; and, in return it allowed our Air Force providers to establish contacts with their fellow host-nation physicians," added the Medical Group commander.

As a result of the open house event, providers from both hospitals decided to begin conducting a monthly meeting to discuss issues and best practices, which in the long run will benefit Team Incirlik, said Capt. Jamie Bing, the 39th MDSS medical logistics flight commander.

This kind of partnership, between the two hospitals, has not existed in the past, the captain added.

The tour concluded with a special recognition ceremony for four of the guests.

Lt. Col. Lisa Moore, the 39th Medical Support Squadron commander, and Lt. Col. Stephanie Buffett, the 39th Medical Operations Squadron commander, presented coins to Dr. Yasar Ergoren and Mustafa Turon, both from Metropark, and Dr. Mustafa Kibar and Huseyin Gelik, from Acibadem, for their outstanding work at their respective hospitals, they said.

Acibadem, which is located approximately 10 miles from the base, opened February 2009 and is one of the leading hospitals in Turkey with 24 medical facilities across the country.

Metropark Hospital, which is approximately 30 minutes from Acibadem, has been open for more than a year and has a Joint Commission International Accreditation.

"Having a strong, working and professional relationship with our local hospitals will assure our patients have the best care available and help the 39th Medical Group its mission to 'Prevent...Heal...Develop...Serve' the Incirlik Air Base Community," said Colonel Cloutier.