Ehrling Bergquist Clinic renovations complete

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Peter R.O. Danielson
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The 55th Medical Group held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic July 31 to celebrate the second and final phase of their medical facility renovation.

The three-year project cost $40 million overall, with funding coming from both the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 as well as military construction funds.

"This renovation project has truly given our 45-year-old facility new life," said U.S. Air Force Col. Stephen Mounts, 55th MDG commander. "We're so excited to be able to offer our customers the high-quality care they deserve in a more modern and energy efficient facility."

The first phase of renovations covered 47,500 square feet of the clinic and was completed in April 2011. It modernized the mental health, physical therapy, command section, general surgery, orthopedics and podiatry offices. In addition, the clinic windows were replaced with a more energy-efficient window system and a high-efficiency heating and air-conditioning system was installed as well as new sensor lighting.

The second phase upgraded 35,000 square feet and included heavy modifications to the radiology, public health, audiology, optometry and ophthalmology, dermatology, ear nose and throat, and minor procedures departments in the north tower. The largest change to the clinic in phase two comes in the form of a new fire suppression system, which includes a sprinkler system, mass notification systems and modifications to the current emergency alarm.

"The full-scale modifications the clinic has received were long overdue," said U.S. Air Force Col. Gregory Guillot, 55th Wing commander. "This is exactly what was needed for the longevity of Offutt's healthcare capabilities."

The upgrades not only extend the overall life of the facility, but will enable the clinic staff to provide their patients with more efficient service in a customer friendly atmosphere.

"This building was over the hill at 40 and in need of more than just cosmetic surgery," Mounts said. "This renovation provides Team Offutt with the latest in health care technology and is a tremendous boost to our staff's ability to offer healthcare services."

The Ehrling Bergquist Hospital was dedicated July 20, 1966, in the memory of Col. Ehrling L. Bergquist, who died Feb. 12, 1949, when the B-17 in which he was a passenger of crash-landed short of the Offutt runway. He was the command surgeon for Strategic Air Command at the time.

Today, the clinic currently provides outpatient care for more than 45,000 people in the Omaha area and delivers 200,000 appointments annually.

"I am pleased to see this investment into the exceptional medical care our 55th Medical Group provides," Guillot said. "We hope it will enable it to be around for another 45 years."