JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
79th Medical Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md. -- More than 150 distinguished guests and visitors from throughout the National Capital Region were on hand Sept. 15, 2011, on Joint Base Andrews, Md., to mark the end of overnight inpatient services at Malcolm Grow Medical Center.
As part of Base Realignment Act Closure Law 2005, MGMC will become a robust ambulatory services clinic. All overnight inpatient services will be provided at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda Md., Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Alexandria, Va., or Southern Maryland Hospital Center, Clinton, Md.
The ceremonies, hosted by Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Gerard Caron, 79th Medical Wing commander, showcased the newly renamed clinic and clarified the mission re-designation for MGMC patients.
"We are not closing," said Caron. "I want to make that clear. Continuing to provide the best health care to all of our beneficiaries remains MGMC's top priority as we transition to an integrated health care system in the National Capital Region."
The change consolidates inpatient medical services for eligible NCR beneficiaries into two military facilities, fostering collaboration in all NCR medical treatment facilities as appropriate.
"We look forward to a fruitful partnership with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, now the largest medical center in the Department of Defense," said Caron.
MGMC will continue its dedication to high-quality, patient-centered care, with a clear focus on safety and customer service.
"Patient care is MGMC's first priority," said Col. (Dr.) Rudy Cachuela, 779th Medical Group commander. "We will continue to present a significant medical capability to our 30,000-plus prime enrolled beneficiaries and to the NCR with a robust outpatient clinic and ambulatory surgery center."
"Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic's re-designation completed the final phase of transformation of military medicine in the NCR as mandated under BRAC 2005 Law," said Vice Adm. John Mateczun, JTF-CAPMED commander.
The MGMC staff commemorated the closure of its intensive care unit and overnight inpatient ward with a celebratory cake as they watched Caron and Cachuela close the unit's doors for the last time.
"MGMC will retain all the medical and surgical specialties pre-BRAC. Its role in taking care of the Nation's wounded, ill and injured in the Aeromedical Staging Facility will remain as well as we continue to provide health service support to Joint Base Andrews," said Cachuela.
Continuing medical services provided by Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic will include:
· Aeromedical Staging Facility
· Allergy/Immunizations
· Ambulatory Surgery Center
· Cardio/pulmonary
· Chiropractics
· Emergent Care Services
· Family Health
· Flight medicine w/Navy
· Internal medicine
· Mental Health
· OB/GYN (external partnership)
· Operational Medicine
· Ophthalmology
· Optometry
· Oral surgery/Navy Dental
· Orthopedics
· Otorhinolaryngology
· Outpatient Dental
· Pathology/Laboratory services
· Pediatrics
· Pharmacy
· Physical/Occupational Therapy
· Public Health/Audiology
· Radiology
· Specialty Medical Clinics (includes Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, and Acupuncture)
· Surgery Clinic
· Urology
"Beginning this month, Malcolm Grow takes on the mission to provide fitness-for-duty determinations for Air Force members assigned to the European Theater," said Caron. "Partnering with the Veterans Health System in Washington D.C., we'll ensure expedited disability and benefits determination while the service member is still on active duty. We are charged with reducing wait times; providing the best care for all members and supporting smooth transitions to civilian life."
Construction of Malcolm Grow Medical Center, originally christened as the United States Air Force Hospital Andrews, began in June 1955 and was completed in May 1958. Staffed with medical personnel from Bolling AFB, Washington D.C., and Andrews AFB, Md., the facility opened Aug. 4, 1958 and provided care to more than 75,000 area military personnel and their families.
In 1962, the USAF Hospital Andrews was renamed Malcolm Grow Medical Center in honor of Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Malcolm Grow. His dedication and service as a field doctor in both World Wars led to his selection as the first Air Force Surgeon General in 1949. Grow was active in military medicine until his death in 1960.
In 2012, MGMC will break ground for construction of a new parking garage. The garage is the beginning of a larger military construction project to replace the hospital and an even older dental clinic. The new state-of-the-art clinics being built will better serve beneficiaries in the greater Prince George's and Southern Maryland counties.
Through strong partnerships with both military and civilian counterparts in the National Capital Region, Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic will continue its mission: Trusted Care... Right Way... Supporting Readiness.