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Biomedical Sciences Corps Appreciation Week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zade Vadnais
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Most people would recognize their primary care provider if they saw them on the street. As the medical professional who oversees their patients' general health, answers their questions and provides informed advice, it's easy for patients to credit their well-being solely to their physician.

However, there are many medical professionals that operate behind the scenes or provide specialized care that is only required under specific circumstances. These individuals work alongside primary care providers to ensure armed forces personnel remain in the best health possible.   

The Air Force has recognized the achievements and contributions of the men and women who comprise the Biomedical Sciences Corps by designating Jan. 25-29, 2016 as BSC Appreciation Week.

The BSC encompasses 18 specialties not covered by primary care providers including physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, speech pathology, pharmacy and public health.

"BSC Appreciation Week helps to highlight, even if only briefly, the outstanding contributions of all of these departments that may not have their own recognition week or may be more obscure career fields that don't necessarily have face to face contact with patients," said Capt. (Dr.) Chase Ballinger, 20th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy services chief. "It's important to realize that all of these people contribute to the quality care of our beneficiaries."

Providing high quality care to all active duty, dependent and retiree beneficiaries is the BSC's primary mission. That mission, Ballinger said, is consistent throughout all Air Force medical service career fields and treatment facilities.

"BSCs are dedicated to the fundamental principles associated with "trusted care" and a highly reliable healthcare organization," said Maj. Alfred Doby, 20th AMDS bioenvironmental engineering flight chief. "Through leadership engagement, a culture of safety, specialized expertise, and continuous process improvement, we seek to enhance Air Force combat capabilities by providing world-class quality care and creating an environment of patient centeredness for all warriors and beneficiaries." 

In addition to specialty roles within medical treatment facilities, BSC officers are embedded within operational units, serve at every level of medical commands and lead on staffs of major commands, forward operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The BSC is also heavily invested in research and other endeavors necessary to meet the ever-changing demands of the Air Force mission.

"Family health and flight medicine may be the first stop when someone is feeling sick or requires care for a chronic issue," Ballinger said. "The BSC career fields are there as supportive and ancillary fields, though, and they exist to both augment and assist the family health and flight medicine primary care providers. They all work together in unison to provide the highest quality of care along all spectrums of healthcare."

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Biomedical Sciences Corps Appreciation Week

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Zade Vadnais
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Most people would recognize their primary care provider if they saw them on the street. As the medical professional who oversees their patients' general health, answers their questions and provides informed advice, it's easy for patients to credit their well-being solely to their physician.

However, there are many medical professionals that operate behind the scenes or provide specialized care that is only required under specific circumstances. These individuals work alongside primary care providers to ensure armed forces personnel remain in the best health possible.   

The Air Force has recognized the achievements and contributions of the men and women who comprise the Biomedical Sciences Corps by designating Jan. 25-29, 2016 as BSC Appreciation Week.

The BSC encompasses 18 specialties not covered by primary care providers including physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, speech pathology, pharmacy and public health.

"BSC Appreciation Week helps to highlight, even if only briefly, the outstanding contributions of all of these departments that may not have their own recognition week or may be more obscure career fields that don't necessarily have face to face contact with patients," said Capt. (Dr.) Chase Ballinger, 20th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy services chief. "It's important to realize that all of these people contribute to the quality care of our beneficiaries."

Providing high quality care to all active duty, dependent and retiree beneficiaries is the BSC's primary mission. That mission, Ballinger said, is consistent throughout all Air Force medical service career fields and treatment facilities.

"BSCs are dedicated to the fundamental principles associated with "trusted care" and a highly reliable healthcare organization," said Maj. Alfred Doby, 20th AMDS bioenvironmental engineering flight chief. "Through leadership engagement, a culture of safety, specialized expertise, and continuous process improvement, we seek to enhance Air Force combat capabilities by providing world-class quality care and creating an environment of patient centeredness for all warriors and beneficiaries." 

In addition to specialty roles within medical treatment facilities, BSC officers are embedded within operational units, serve at every level of medical commands and lead on staffs of major commands, forward operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. The BSC is also heavily invested in research and other endeavors necessary to meet the ever-changing demands of the Air Force mission.

"Family health and flight medicine may be the first stop when someone is feeling sick or requires care for a chronic issue," Ballinger said. "The BSC career fields are there as supportive and ancillary fields, though, and they exist to both augment and assist the family health and flight medicine primary care providers. They all work together in unison to provide the highest quality of care along all spectrums of healthcare."