The 82d Medical Group at Sheppard Air Force Base delivers vital healthcare services to a large population, supporting approximately 19,500 beneficiaries. A significant aspect of their mission involves providing medical care for the prestigious 250 million dollar Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJPT). This program highlights the scale and importance of the medical group’s operations, as they manage the healthcare needs for this substantial international initiative. Furthermore, the 82d Medical Group plays a crucial role in the Air Force’s training pipeline, overseeing the medical well-being of over half of the annual Airman in Training (AiT) throughput, with an average daily student load of 4,560 personnel. Accredited by the Joint Commission, the group maintains high standards of healthcare delivery and patient safety.
This extensive medical operation is structured into three specialized squadrons, each contributing unique capabilities:
82d Medical Support Squadron (MDSS): The Backbone of Healthcare Delivery
The 82d Medical Support Squadron (MDSS) operates as the logistical and administrative core of the medical group. Comprising 10 distinct flights, MDSS manages a wide array of essential services. These include Personnel and Administration, Resource Management, Education and Training, TRICARE Operations and Patient Administration, Medical Readiness, Information Management, Pharmacy, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory, and Regional Medical Equipment Repair and Facility Management within Logistics. To ensure smooth healthcare delivery, the MDSS manages a substantial $53 million budget and oversees manpower programs for over 116 staff members. Their managed care program supports a large enrolled population of approximately 8,000 individuals, resulting in around 70,000 annual patient visits. The squadron also provides critical ancillary services, managing a $6 million pharmacy budget, diagnostic imaging services averaging 30 patients daily, and laboratory services serving approximately 47 patients each day.
82d Medical Operations Squadron (MDOS): Primary and Specialty Care Hub
The 82d Medical Operations Squadron (MDOS) is responsible for delivering comprehensive primary care services to TRICARE-enrolled beneficiaries within the medical group. In addition to primary care, MDOS offers limited referral-based and space-available subspecialty care. Organized into five flights – Family Health Clinic, Internal Medicine, Mental Health, Gynecology, and Pediatrics – the squadron is staffed by 94 dedicated personnel. The available services are diverse, encompassing Family Advocacy, Family Medicine, Immunizations, Dental care, Internal Medicine, Mental Health services, Physical Therapy, Primary Care, and Substance Abuse Counseling. Collectively, these clinics handle over 5,800 patient visits annually, contributing to the approximately 70,000 total annual visits within the medical group.
82d Aerospace Medicine Squadron (AMDS): Focus on Operational Readiness
The 82d Aerospace Medicine Squadron (AMDS) specializes in delivering aerospace and operational medical services, primarily supporting 850 aviators. Furthermore, AMDS manages a population-based preventive medicine program for the entire beneficiary population of 19,500, staffed by 115 healthcare professionals. The squadron is divided into 7 flights: Public Health, Optometry, Aerospace and Operation Physiology, Dental, Flight Medicine, and Trainee Health. Their focus is on maintaining the health and operational readiness of aviators and the broader base population through preventive care and specialized medical services.
In conclusion, the 82d Medical Group at Sheppard Air Force Base is a multifaceted healthcare organization, providing a wide range of services to a large and diverse population, including critical support for the 250 million dollar Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program and the Air Force’s training mission. Through its three specialized squadrons, the group ensures comprehensive medical care, from primary and specialty services to aerospace and preventative medicine, maintaining the health and readiness of those they serve.
