MacDill builds partnership with Tampa General Hospital

by Senior Airman Jenay Randolph
6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

4/7/2014 - MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.  -- The 6th Medical Group and members of Tampa General Hospital conducted a meeting March 26, 2014 at TGH in Tampa, Fla. to mark the beginning of building bonds within the community. During the meeting, they discussed progress and growth of current partnerships.

As a result of MacDill downsizing from an inpatient hospital to an outpatient clinic in 2009 and the closure of numerous inpatient hospitals throughout the military, the Air Force began looking for trauma training platforms for general surgeons in the local communities. Leadership at the 6th MDG and Air Force Surgeon General's office teamed with leadership at TGH to create an avenue for this training.

The first partnership began in 2011, which allowed the two Air Force general surgeons, Maj. Michael Michel and Dr. Richard Lewis, into the TGH trauma center, offering them unmatched readiness training skills to maintain currency for deployments. Due to the overwhelming success, it was followed by another collaborative effort in July 2013, when Lewis opened the first surgical clinic at TGH for Tricare beneficiaries.

"This partnership is important not only to MacDill AFB, but to the Department of Defense as a whole," expressed Lt. Col. Tammy Tenace, 6th Medical Group surgical services flight commander. "Our general surgeons from MacDill deploy to the battlefield with unparalleled training in trauma and surgery gained by working in a level one trauma center such as TGH."

TGH is a level one trauma center that sees more patients than any Air Force hospital. Currently, surgeons see approximately 60 Tricare beneficiaries weekly and perform approximately 10 surgeries on average.

"TGH sees the partnership with the Air Force as something they are proud to be a part of," stated Lewis. "The staff works alongside our military, which in turn promotes good will and camaraderie."

According to both partners, this partnership is invaluable both to the U.S. Air Force and the community. It embraces the vision of the Air Force Medical Service, the 6th Air Mobility Wing and the Tampa Bay community partners.

Mr. Jim Burkhart, President and CEO of TGH, along with Col. Kevin Franke, 6th MDG commander, continue to explore partnership opportunities, ultimately to better serve the Airmen, their families and the community.