Craig Sterns, left, Lt. Col. Gregory Cullison, Col. Sharon Bannister, Col. Mark Camerer, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper, U.S. Senator Chris Coons, Dover Mayor Carleton Carey, Mr. John Stickels, and Lt. Col. Philip Secrist cut the ribbon during the opening of the 436th Airlift Wing's newly-renovated medical clinic Feb. 03, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The guests took a tour of the facilities to see the upgrades to the medical clinic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Kotecki)

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Dover AFB

Senior Airman Josh Henson, a laboratory apprentice with the 436th Medical Support Squadron, observes cells through a microscope Feb. 2, 2012, at the Dover Air Force Base, Del. The images were projected onto a LCD screen to make viewing the sample easier. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

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Dover AFB

Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Kramer, NCO in charge of the laboratory with the 436th Medical Support Squadron, places dry ice in a container in preparation for shipping medical samples Feb. 2, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. This process is done to ensure samples stay at the correct temperature while in transit to testing facilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

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Staff Sgt. Tonyia Goodman, a loadmaster with the 9th Airlift Squadron, receives an eye examination by Maj. Jeffrey Newsom, the optometrist with the 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, Feb. 2, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Newsom placed florescent dye in Goodman's eye to perform a special examination using ultra-violet light. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

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Master Sgt. Tina Birch, diagnostic imaging flight chief with the 436th Medical Support Squadron, receives an X-ray on her finger Feb. 2, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Birch is responsible for the radiology department at the medical clinic, as well as imaging support for Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik)

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A pneumatic device inside a moving stand at the dental clinic is adjusted to get the correct resistance Feb. 2, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Morgan)

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Cynthia Kruener has her ear canal washed Feb. 2, 2012, during a routine visit to the medical clinic at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Kruener underwent this process in one of many newly-renovated procedure rooms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Morgan)

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Ribbon cutting highlights renovated medical clinic

Published Feb. 7, 2012
By Senior Airman Jacob Morgan
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Distinguished community members and leaders joined members of Dover Air Force Base for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 3, 2012, to see more than 55,000 square feet of renovations to the medical clinic.

U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Dover Mayor Carleton Carey were hosted by Col. Mark Camerer, commander of the 436th Airlift Wing and Col. Sharon Bannister, commander of the 436th Medical Group. They took a tour of the facility to see the result of more than $17.1 million of stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"We have gained a world-class facility to deliver world-class patient-centered health care," said Bannister.

Being treated at a medical facility can already be a stressful process; the last thing patients want is more hassle. No longer will the sounds of hammers and saws cause a headache to get worse. When patients walk into the new and improved Dover AFB Medical Clinic, there is a concise layout - streamlining patient care.

Before, where there were offices on the first floor, there are now comfortable waiting rooms and patient care facilities. On the second floor, all offices are co-located for an efficient administrative process.

Instead of traveling from temporary building to another temporary building looking for public health, mental health and aerospace medicine, there is a one-stop shop at the medical clinic.

"Patients can more easily navigate the clinic and providers can easily collaborate," said Bannister. "It's a win-win for the total team."

There are also upgrades to existing facilities. For example, the pharmacy has significantly more space and the spacing on the windows allows for more patient privacy.

All of the upgrades are setting the 436th MDG up for where they want to be in the future, which is making the patient a part of the team.

"On average, patients spend only 100 minutes a year with their healthcare providers. [The 436th MDG] needs to find a way to influence our beneficiaries' healthy living choices during the "white space" when we aren't with them. By working on continuity of care within our facility, we are able to develop relationships with our patients, which helps strengthen that health partnership," said Bannister.