ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Air Force diagnostic imaging professionals play a critical role in keeping Airmen mission-ready at Ellsworth Air Force Base.
“The mission of the 28th Medical Group Diagnostic Imaging Flight is to keep Airmen and their families healthy to accomplish their mission and are ready for the fight,” said Senior Airman Emily Campos, 28th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron diagnostic imaging technologist.
The diagnostic imaging shop is comprised of two Airmen who assisted over 2000 patients during 2021.
“We take x-rays of different parts of our patients’ bodies, such as the hands, stomach, and chest,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy McKenna, 28th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron diagnostic imaging technologist. “The images we take are sent to an off-base provider, where they will analyze the photos and choose the proper form of treatment to take.”
Even though Ellsworth’s diagnostic imaging flight is smaller than at other bases, the team is still committed to providing exceptional care and service for their patients.
“Without our imaging capabilities patients could get misdiagnosed and not get the proper care that they need to fix their issue,” said McKenna. “The images we take must be of a great quality. When the radiologists look at them and they either miss something or misdiagnose someone, that person could get the wrong treatment and potentially prolong their issues.”
Attention to detail is crucial to the diagnostic imaging career field, and according to Campos caring about people’s well-being is just as important.
“I love conducting patient care and interacting with patients,” said Campos. “Doing whatever I can to aid in the recovery of the patient, and knowing that what I do can help someone, makes the job for me.”