Retiree Appreciation Day addresses medical, legislative, other updates Published Oct. 22, 2010 By Derek Kaufman 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- An update on a soon-to-be implemented improvement in the delivery primary care at Wright-Patterson Medical Center was just one of the topics Retiree Appreciation Day attendees learned about here Oct. 22. "Today is about you," Col. Richard "Duke" Hazdra, 88th Air Base Wing vice commander, told military retirees and their spouses assembled at the Hope Hotel and Conference Center. More than 400 from all branches of the military came to the free annual event, held to recognize retirees for their service, share information on key topics of interest and respond to their concerns. Health providers from the 88th Medical Group were on hand offering screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index. Dayton's Veteran Administration Medical Center brought its Veterans Mobile Clinic, providing enrollment services and exams on site as well as flu shots. Wright-Patt Medical Center improvements Col. Mike Schaffrinna, 88th Medical Group deputy commander, highlighted the base medical center's newly renovated Emergency Room, hemodialysis and state-of the-art comprehensive cancer care facility. He said the Air Force's phased investment in new facilities and diagnosis and treatment technologies at the base hospital was ongoing. The colonel also overviewed the Family Health Initiative, which changes the way primary care is delivered at the hospital. "The effort is designed to eliminate barriers to access," Colonel Schaffrinna said. Beyond changing the name Primary Care to "Family Health Clinic," the Air Force-wide effort focuses on building relationships between patients and providers. Eight-person teams, typically comprised of a physician, along with a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, and assisted by a nurse and five medical technicians will serve patients with "improved patient care through continuity," said Maj. (Dr.) Chris Restad, flight commander with the 88 Medical Operations Squadron. The concept is geared to better enable patients with chronic health issues like diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol to benefit by receiving their care from a team of just two primary providers. The providers on the team can become more familiar with patient histories and treatments and can back each other up when one is deployed. Colonel Schaffrinna acknowledged Wright-Patterson Medical Center care givers and technicians frequently deploy in support of joint warfighters and humanitarian efforts. More than 75 are currently deployed to locations ranging from Honduras to the Philippines, with many in Afghanistan and Iraq. A key element of the Family Health Initiative is to dedicate "chronic disease management nurses" to follow up and call patients, assist in making appointments and getting chronic ailments under better control. "Appointments with providers not on your team should occur infrequently," Colonel Schaffrinna said. Washington Legislative Update Retired Army Maj. Gen. William Matz returned to Wright-Patt's Retiree Appreciation Day to present an update on happenings in the executive branch and on Capitol Hill of interest to military veterans and retirees. General Matz is National Association for the Uniformed Services president, a veterans advocacy group. The general acknowledged there is growing pressure in Washington to look for cuts within the DoD budget and that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has stated "there are no sacred cows" in the budget. Noting that in the 111th Congress less than 22 percent of current members, and less than 5 percent of Congressional staff members have served in the military, General Matz said it was important that retirees remain informed on proposed legislation and changes to benefits and to voice their recommendations and concerns. "Retirees want to stay in the loop and stay informed on legislation that affects all servicemembers," General Matz added. New technology to enhance base gate access Master Sgt. Dave Small with the 88th Security Forces Squadron gave a brief preview of the new Defense Biometrics Identification System being installed at DoD installations including Wright-Patterson. Already in use at most U.S. bases located overseas, the system will incorporate hand-held scanners used by gate sentries which scan the bar codes on existing military identification cards to quickly verify access. The technology is designed to improve security and increase capacity to screen persons authority to access the base and key facilities while reducing potential for human error. Details on the timeline for implementation at Wright-Patt are still being worked, Sergeant Small said. He added base employees, retirees, family members and others will have plenty of advance notice before they see the scanners in use. Feedback positive Col. Paul Moore, director of the base Retiree Activities Program Office, said each year he solicits feedback on Retiree Appreciation Day and what can be done to improve it. "Today's feedback has been very positive," Colonel Moore said. Retired Air Force Master Sgt. Steve Divish of Dayton, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom in southwest Asia and Operation Enduring Freedom who deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan called Retiree Appreciation Day "fantastic." "A lot of great info was shared," he said. Retired Navy Petty Officer Charles Edwards, a former Dayton, Ohio police officer, said he agreed the event was worth the trip. "I enjoyed it very much," he said. "I missed it last year, but I'll be back."