OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Medical Group announced an updated training schedule for the Erling Bergquist Clinic.
The EBC is now conducting training on the first and third Thursdays of each month in the afternoon, instead of only the third Thursday as it was previously. The main clinic will be closed, but virtual care from their staff contractors and civilian providers will increase during those down times. On the first Thursday of the month, the satellite pharmacy will remain open.
“If we want military medicine to succeed, we all need to be involved,” said Col. Tracy Bozung, 55th MDG commander. “Our missions are to produce medics ready and trained to support when and where the Air Force needs and to enable a medically ready force to answer our nation’s call. Ensuring ready medics takes time and training.”
The change in schedule may affect some patients who rely on the EBC, and Colonel Bozung wants to ensure patients have timely access to these changes.
“Recent guidance from higher headquarters may change our training dates and times again,” stated Colonel Bozung. “We are awaiting further information, but we could see another change in late spring or summer.”
To offset the decrease in appointments and services related to training days, the EBC will remain open during 55th Wing Family Days to provide care.
Additionally, Colonel Bozung encourages beneficiaries to voice their opinions in a newly released patient opinion survey, designed to gather patient’s opinions and preferences regarding communications from the MDG.
The patient survey can be found at: https://qualtricsxmgvctqlw92.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ey4f3AY5YarR5Ns
For real time updates on clinic closures, text the word “medical” to 833-578-0586 to opt-in for text messages.
The EBC also maintains a list of scheduled closures on their website at offutt.tricare.mil.