Committed to improve service throughout the Air Force

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Gaither
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  In early 2015, flights within the 88th Aerospace Medicine Squadron merged into one.  Audiology, Occupational Medicine and Flight medicine became Aerospace Operational Medicine. Later that year, AOM was charged with becoming Air Force Materiel Command's sole test site and model home for the Air Force Medical Service's new initiative, Base Operational Medicine Clinic.

The purpose of the BOMC is to bring the aviation culture of the Air Force into the clinic by providing highly reliable, standardized physical exam services to ensure Airmen are available to support local commanders' missions. There is a dedicated clinic for Airmen physical exams and a separate, relocated primary care clinic for flyers. 

The Audiology clinic continues to see patients of all ages to include retirees and veterans. It offers a retiree hearing aid purchase program specifically for retirees. This program allows retirees to purchase top of the line hearing aids at a much lower cost.

"We're very happy to offer this program because not every hospital can," said Maj. April Taylor, Audiologist and Flight Commander.

Because the Audiology section works closely with the Dayton, Columbus, Chillicothe and Cincinnati VAs in caring for veteran patients, they are able to provide hearing aid adjustments and diagnostic hearing testing for veterans. "We have a great working relationship with the VA Audiology department, so we are able to help take care of our veterans that struggle to be seen," said Taylor. Audiology also supports hearing conservation to people who work in hazardous work areas.  

Occupational Medicine is available to all Wright-Patterson AFB military and civil service employees for medical examinations and treatment of various injuries, excluding emergencies.   Through memorandums of understanding with geographically separated units, they accommodate patients as far as northern Michigan to Tennessee. 

"Although there are so many little bits and pieces to what we do, our ultimate goal is to take care of someone whether in uniform or a civilian and meet the mission requirements here at Wright-Patterson that keep you in the work center," said Brady Briem, Administrator for Occupational Medicine.

Occupational Medicine works closely with the 445th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Research Laboratory, providing exams when needed. They also support the entire civilian base population with any work related injury or illness. USAFSAM and AFRL students are not officially assigned to Wright-Patterson and rely on this flight as they are not assigned a Primary Care Manager. For hazardous work environments, Occupational Medicine works with bio-environmental to visit and assess chemicals and exposures to susceptibility.   

"What we do is strictly preventive medicine," said Briem.

In addition, Occupational Medicine implements Fitness for Duty. After physician evaluations and diagnosis, they make a full diagnosis and recommendations to civilian supervision and base human resource officials. 

"Our goal is to put you back on the football field per say," said Briem.

Flight Medicine is charged with the primary medical care of flyers, special operators, and their families. They respond to in-flight and flight line emergencies and provide direct operational medical support to the line of the Air Force. 
  
The BOMC is responsible for providing physical exams and medical standards services to include Fly-Periodic Health Assessments (Annual Flying Exams), Initial flight physicals, Occupational health exams to include preplacement, periodic medical surveillance, hearing conservation, fitness for/return to duty exams (military and civilian), civilian return to duty appointments, medical clearances (overseas permanent change of station, retraining, Palace Chase/Front, commissioning 422's, and security clearances), and retirement and separation exams.