Lajes garners command accolade: 2010 Best Clinic in USAFE

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi
  • 65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
LAJES FIELD, Azores --  Lajes Clinic continues to excel, not just at the wing level but at the command level through various outstanding programs and services.

Recently, the 65th Medical Group Airmen, consisting of servicemembers and their Portuguese partners, garnered a U.S. Air Forces in Europe's accolade, when the clinic was named the Best USAFE Clinic of the Year for 2010.

According to Lt. Col. Teresa-Ann Jones, acting 65th MDG commander, the award was very competitive, and winning is a testament to the hard work of the 65th MDG Airmen. The Lajes Clinic competed with seven other facilities in USAFE for the award.

"The men and women of the 65th MDG worked very hard over the last year and a half, and everything that we do day to day goes in to this overall accomplishment," she said. "It's a true testament to their professionalism and to the level of work that we do here."

The Lajes individual medical readiness and dental readiness were rated the best in the command. To crown it all, the clinic was also rated number one in USAFE for its outstanding customer service with a 98 percent satisfaction rating.

"We have a very personal relationship with our customers and patient population at Lajes," said the acting commander.

Other additional achievements that contributed to the clinic's success are its members' performances in the wing annual awards and involvement in the wing inspection programs. The USAFE award was accompanied by some other individual award winners as well, added Colonel Jones.

"Anytime you (an individual and a unit) are considered the best in USAFE, you take extreme pride in that, and that is a huge accomplishment for the entire medical group," said Chief Master Sgt. Marc Dowler, 65th MDG superintendent. "The biggest part of that is the fact that everybody gets to enjoy this within the medical group. Individual awards are wonderful in themselves; this particular award recognizes each and every man, woman, military member, civilian and contractor, who puts hard work into what we do every day. They (USAFE officials) saw it fit to recognize us for that, and I am extremely happy to be a part of that."

Moreover, the clinic provided outstanding support for the 65th Communications Squadron, assisting in their Cyber Readiness inspection. The clinic ensured correct patch management of 28 servers and 176 workstations.

"It's not just because of our medical programs; we touched other wing programs as well," Colonel Jones added.

The medical group is also getting ready for an upcoming Health Services Inspection, which takes place every three years. According to officials here, members are working hard, even on weekends, to ensure maximum compliance for this inspection, scheduled for the first week in February.

The medical group's Airmen are currently working hard to ensure another outstanding result in the upcoming inspection by polishing up their programs and showing a good track record that will "wow" the inspectors.

"Everyone is working hard and is proud of (his/her) programs," said Colonel Jones with a show of confidence. "I am proud of all their programs as well. I know that we're going to do very well, and we are going to show all the inspectors why we are the best clinic in USAFE."

As the No. 1 clinic in USAFE, Lajes will be represented by the clinic by competing at the Air Force level.