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New 20th MDG facility under construction

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Diana M. Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  A new 20th Medical Group military treatment facility, including a main building and ambulance shelter, is being built to replace the current facility at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.

Construction of the facility began October 2013.

"The existing building is (outdated) for the delivery of modern military healthcare, considering it is a 1960's era hospital design," said Capt. Aaron Eldridge, 20th MDG project health facilities officer.

Services such as the pediatric clinic, flight medicine and public health are now geographically spread over several acres, separate from the main treatment facility.

The new facility will consolidate all the 20th MDG buildings into a central location, providing one-stop care for all patrons.

The building design will provide an efficient facility for staff and effective care for approximately 31,000 eligible beneficiaries, said Master Sgt. Heather Bennett, 20th Medical Support Squadron NCO in charge of initial outfitting.

The only medical group resources that will remain geographically separate are the 20th Dental Squadron and the Exchange satellite pharmacy.

"The new facility will be certified for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and incorporates features that improve patient convenience as well as optimize patient care ambience," said Eldridge.

The main building is estimated to be completed and open to patrons in the summer of 2016, and the ambulance shelter is estimated to be open May 2017.