JBER PT clinic makes temporary move

by Staff Sgt. William Banton
JBER Public Affairs

10/30/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The 673d Medical Operations Squadron's Physical Therapy Flight has temporarily relocated from the JBER hospital to Hangar 5 due to facility renovations. The construction, scheduled to last 91 days, should be complete by early February.

"We want to improve patient flow; we want patients to see a state-of-the-art facility," said Air Force Lt. Col. Randy Green, PT Flight Commander.

The upgrades include an AlterG - a treadmill that uses technology invented by NASA.

The treadmill reduces pain on joints when people run by reducing the gravity's impact on the body.

"The treadmill lifts up people who have pain when they run; we can take half your weight off," Green said. "It's a great tool for running."

"Overall, we are trying to maximize the functional space while providing the most effective area for both our patients and our staff," said Tech Sgt. Adeleke
Peterson, PT Flight superintendent.
"We are trying to save money, because as a military treatment facility we have rules that govern how we are supposed to start patient care here," Peterson said.
"We try to put the best foot forward always, and give the best care they will receive anywhere, in the best environment they can get anywhere. So they come in feeling good, and they leave feeling good," Peterson said.

The PT flight will maintain all current capabilities at the temporary facilities.

"If anything, our capabilities may be expanded a little bit [at Hangar 5] because they have Arctic CrossFit; we are waiting to get the plyometric balls and ropes [which they have]," Green said. "The only thing we are looking at now is how to accommodate the small number of people who require childcare."

Teddy Child Watch, a free child-care program run by the Armed Services YMCA at the hospital, may not be an option for parents, due to the move physical therapy appointments being in another facility.

It is still being determined if the current rules and regulations of the Teddy Child Watch will allow for parents to drop off their children, due to the appointment not being in the same building.

"We are trying to coordinate child care availability, but it's not a guarantee," Peterson said.

"If anything is going to be diminished, that would probably be it.

"But it is the patient's responsibility to ensure proper child care; all we can do is let them know what the options are, and try to get them in the best situation possible so they can get their treatment," she said "Our goal is to make the best physical therapy clinic in Alaska; we want to make this the place people want to come to for rehabilitation," Green said.

Peterson said she agreed with Green's sentiment.

"One of the big things military members working here like to say is 'we're tasked with the best job in the military,'" Peterson said. "We get to rehab the war fighters, their dependents, retirees. We improve them, and improve everybody else who gets to come in here."