JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 316th Medical Group hosted an immersion event Aug. 17 for honorary commanders associated with the unit.
Evalyne Bryant-Ward, director of operations for the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Group, and Dr. Stephen Michaels, president of MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, were inducted into the Honorary Commander Program in March, and this was their first opportunity to visit the medical group.
Bryant-Ward is paired with Lt. Col. Ryan McGuire, 316th Medical Support Squadron commander, and Michaels, is paired with Col. David Duval, 316th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander.
They started the immersion with a mission briefing from Col. Robert Corby, 316th MDG commander, and other leadership within the group and its six squadrons. They were then led on a tour with briefings and demonstrations of four components within the medical group:
—Bioenvironmental engineering
—Tactical combat casualty care
—Critical care air transport
—Enroute patient services
Bryant-Ward said she appreciated the opportunity to chat with medical professionals at Andrews and spend time with them in their work environment.
“The expertise of our young Airmen and the passion that they have for their jobs is so exciting to see,” said Bryant-Ward. “It was wonderful -- the time and effort they put into demonstrate everything associated with the Malcolm Grove Medical Center and understanding that their challenges are similar to my challenges in the private sector.”
Corby said the immersion was an opportunity to showcase medics and bolster the bond with the medical community outside JBA.
“While many similarities exist between the military and civilian sectors when it comes to medical operations, we also have some very unique functions at the 316th Medical Group,” he said. “As we look to strengthen our partnerships across the National Capital Region, it is important to understand the challenges across both sectors and have the ability to learn from each other. The Honorary Commander program provides an incredible platform to deepen those partnerships.”
The Joint Base Andrews Honorary Commander Program promotes and maintains positive relations with civilian counterparts in the surrounding communities and with civic and business leaders.
The program’s objective is to show the base’s support for the neighboring communities by creating a cross-flow of information between the military and civilian communities and by empowering civic leaders to become force multipliers who share the military story.