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Senior Airman Danielle Marsh, 86th Aerospace Medical Squadron public health technician, looks through an optical refractor during an optometry demonstration. Doctors at the clinic see an average of 50 patients a day. As U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa’s largest optometry clinic, they treat anyone from 5 years and older for anything from retraining physicals to school screenings.
As the largest U.S. Air Force overseas clinic, the 86th Medical Group has made its footprints visible across 93 other countries, showing its expansive capabilities.
Under the leadership of Col. Christine Taylor, 86th MDG commander, the 86th MDG has received five Air Force-level awards and 36 U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa awards, such as the USAFE-AFAFRICA Clinic of the Year in 2012 as well as many other accomplishments, including receiving “Substantial Compliance” during a recent accreditation inspection.
“By receiving the highest score for one of our inspection programs (Association for Ambulatory Health Care), we did extremely well,” Taylor said. “I always give that credit to our Airmen. They are the ones out there doing the work every day and making it happen. If an organization is doing the job the way it should be done everyday, then it will always be ready for any type of inspection, and we were ready.”
Ramstein is the only clinic in the Air Force with a team that can provide surgery in flight.
“Being on the cutting edge and providing this capability is very exciting and has enhanced our
global reach operation,” Taylor said. “The 86th Medical Group is not a typical clinic; we have a very diverse organization. For instance, we have a squadron at (Landstuhl Regional Medical Center) that provides specialty care, surgical services and critical care air transport teams. We have a (Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility), which is the air-bridge for wounded warriors. We have the largest Patient Movement Center in USAFE, and, of course, we provide care to our beneficiaries in our various clinics within the wing.”
The 86th MDG’s mission is embraced by four words: prevent, heal, develop and deploy.
“We prevent by building healthy communities, looking at population and how we find programs to make people healthier,” Taylor said. “For healing, we use a scientific-based approach. We develop by making sure our Airmen are trained to do their job and do it well so we can serve our patients. Lastly, deploy. That’s why we’re here. That’s why we wear the uniform to support our medical readiness mission.”
It’s important that each Airman knows how their job impacts the bigger picture, and Taylor said she believes understanding that connection is important to the success of the mission.
“It’s important for us to know the other groups’ operations, because it’s one team, one fight,” she said. “We all depend on each other to make the mission happen, and understanding what everyone brings to the table and how we support each other makes us a stronger team.”
The mission and the Airmen she works with are what motivate Taylor to get up in the morning. She said she loves what she does and sees every challenge as an opportunity to excel.
“I always love a challenge,” Taylor said. “I always think that we have to look at our challenges in the face and think of how to change them into opportunities, then setting the bar. I like that because I know it’s only going to further the mission and better support the Air Force.”
Taylor said she knows the 86th MDG is in great hands because of the hard work and dedication of its Airmen.
“My favorite part about being a group commander is making a difference in the lives of my Airmen and being able to share my experiences with them,” Taylor said. “When I look back on my career I want to feel that I have helped shape the future of the Air Force by being there for my Airmen and how we proudly upheld our guiding principle. (I’m) honored to care for our American heroes and their families.”
