JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Millions of people across the globe suffer from allergies caused by everyday exposure to pet dander, dust mites, or pollen.
With the forecast for the upcoming summer season to include a high amount of pollen, especially in the next couple of days, a number of Airmen and members who work at the Pentagon may need to visit a clinic for their allergy medicine and care needs.
Members of the Pentagon Flight Medicine Clinic are comprised in part of members from Andrews.
"The Pentagon Flight Medicine Clinic falls under Andrews," said Capt. Leah Williams, 779th Medical Operations Squadron deployment behavioral health psychologist and nurse manager in charge of all nurse duties for the clinic from teaching patients and staff members to case managing. "Andrews owns that mission and supplies personnel to man the clinic."
As with most missions, the Pentagon Flight Medicine Clinic's mission relies heavily on teamwork and communication to enable them to provide superior care.
"In order to give patients what they need, [the clinic members] have to work as a team," said Captain Williams. "[We] have to keep that open line of communication. When you have that good teamwork, the patient notices and it makes our care so much more special."
The staff is comprised of Andrews members and also members of other services and specialties.
"[Members who work in the Pentagon Flight Medicine Clinic] are attached to Andrews, but we also have ...a Navy doctor, an Army physician, as well as our Air Force personnel," said Captain Williams. "We also have optometry [specialized] physicians from Joint Base Bolling Anacostia - Naval Air Station that come out, as well as emergency medical technicians, surgeons, and other specialists."
The clinic staff cares for a number of Active Duty members as well as Reservists, Guardsmen, and retirees in both times of peace and emergency situations.
"Mainly, our patients are personnel from the Pentagon, but we do take care of members from the National Capital Region," said Captain Williams. "If there were an emergency situation, we wouldn't turn away anyone. We would take care of any issues and transport patients if needed."
Naturally, because of the proximity to the Pentagon, a national symbol of the country's security and governmental headquarters, clinic personnel do come in contact with distinguished members, and maintain the professionalism and military bearing that is expected of every Airman. Their Air Force training taught them how to deal with those situations, and how to be confident in their field.
"Your whole Air Force career prepares you for whatever [area of responsibility] that you may be working in," said Captain Williams. "We undergo both initial and follow-up training to keep us current in our field."
Holding a position in this clinic while being attached to one of the most high-profile and well-known installations across the military is certainly rare throughout the Air Force.
"It's a really exciting job," said Captain Williams. "Here at the Pentagon Clinic I have the chance to interact with patients [which I enjoy]."