Ellsworth's HSI results: Excellent

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kimberly Moore Limrick
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth's Medical Group completed its Health Services Inspection March 30 with the highest grade of all Air Force bases so far this fiscal year. 

The HSI is held every three years to assess the ability of Air Force medical units to fulfill their peacetime and wartime missions, including provision of medical care and support of the host wing mission, explained Chief Master Sgt. Bionca Lindsey, 28th Medical Group superintendent. 

The HSI assesses the functioning and execution of Air Force medical services programs and processes at the local level to provide senior leadership with accurate data. The inspection focuses on three major categories: expeditionary medical operations, in-garrison medical operations and leadership. The three categories are broken down into 16 areas with approximately 1,400 elements to be evaluated. 

Prior to the HSI team's arrival, behind-the-scenes coordination had to be arranged. 

In addition to coordinating billeting and transportation arrangements, Capt. Lisa Adams, 28th HSI project officer said, "The most time-consuming part of the preparation process was reviewing the required document lists and ensuring all required documents were submitted by the appropriate work areas." 

"Upon their arrival, the teams were immediately pleased with the look of the facility and I think that set a positive tone. After the first day of interviews, the staff was feeling really confident," Captain Adams said. 

"The entire visit went very well, and after the first day, I was confident that we would do well," said Lt. Col. Nancy Opheim, 28th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "Our great housekeeping and maintenance staff set the stage and impressed all our inspectors with an impeccably clean and well-maintained facility. The entire Med Group staff was upbeat and ready to show the inspectors our programs." 

Ellsworth's inspection lasted three days and resulted in an overall rating of excellent, scoring 91, the highest grade recorded this fiscal year. 

"The results were announced (March 30) in our staff conference room; it was standing-room only. We had staff members in the hallway trying to listen to what the inspectors were saying, and then the noisemakers started and didn't stop until it was all said and done," Chief Lindsey said. "We even hollered out a Med Group chant which startled the inspectors. It was awesome, and I am so very proud of everyone." 

"(The HSI team) made a special recognition award for our housekeeping staff because they couldn't believe how clean the facility was. It was a heartfelt recognition well deserved," Chief Lindsey said. "We do have the best housekeeping staff I have worked with in my 21 years. 

Captain Adams said, "I was pleased with the results. I knew everyone worked hard in preparation for the inspection, and it was our time to shine." 

"The (MDG) staff deserves all the credit for making this inspection a huge success. They are the best in the Air Force, and their efforts were the reason we did so well," Colonel Opheim said.