MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The medical field is an ever-changing, ever-growing area. Whether this change is from methods of care, shiny and new equipment or even streamlining the administrative side, the goal is always the same: providing for the needs of the patients.
Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, Defense Health Agency director, visited with members of the 42nd Medical Group at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, April 11, 2019, to discuss the transition of military treatment facilities to the Defense Health Agency.
“Change is challenging, but being at Maxwell, the heart of Air Force education, I want to make sure all of your needs are met or exceeded,” said Bono. “The DHA is as committed to the Air Force as the Air Force is to the DHA.”
The DHA will be responsible for all facilities with respect to budgetary matters, information technology, health care administration and management, administrative policy and procedure and military medical construction. The ultimate goal of this transition for the Department of Defense is a more integrated, efficient and effective system of readiness and health.
“From a patient perspective, most of these changes should go unnoticed,” said Bono. “Patients expect, and will receive, the same high quality, trusted care they have come to know at our military treatment facilities. Providers can expect to focus on practicing medicine and maintaining their preparedness in the event of crisis.”
The consolidation of MTF-based health care delivery in a single agency aims to strengthen our ability to provide ready medical forces in support of global operations and to improve the medical readiness of combat forces, provide a more standardized experience of care for patients and reduce costs through unity of effort, standardization of medical care and integration of health care services.