Innovation through Air Force Medicine & Science, 28th Medical Group celebrates 60th Anniversary of the Biomedical Science Corps

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Dylan Maher
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  This week, January 27-31, 2025, was designated by the Air Force as Biomedical Sciences Corps Appreciation Week, a week to honor the history and recognize the men and women who comprise the BSC and all that they bring to the fight.

Established in 1965 by the Air Force Medical Service, the BSC has its roots dating back to 1917 when the Sanitary Corps was established to combat infectious diseases.

“The work being done behind the scenes by our diverse corps doesn’t always come to mind when you think about the medicals group’s role in the overall Air Force mission.” said 2nd Lt. Brian Vance, 28th Healthcare Operations Squadron clinical laboratory element chief.

The BSC contains more than 2,400 officers, 5,800 enlisted members, and 1,000 civilians covering 13 distinct professions:

Physical Therapy, Optometry, Podiatry, Physician Assistant, Audiology, Psychology, Social Worker, Occupational Therapy, Biomedical Scientists, Clinical Dietitian, Bioenvironmental Engineering, Public Health Officers, Entomology, Pharmacy, and Medical Lab Officers.

Within the 28th Medical Group, 15 Officers, 26 Enlisted members, and 23 Civilians are recognized.

As a member of the BSC, Vance values the impact of fostering a collaborative environment in the medical world, as well as providing quality patient care for fellow Airmen to keep them in the fight.

“We can all better understand and support each other’s missions when we communicate and work together to find solutions that benefit the team,” said Vance. “If we are resistant to innovation and change, we won’t be able to pivot appropriately when the mission needs us to.”

While the BSC continues to grow and develop in size and scope, the Air Force is not underestimating what it takes to optimize the Human weapon system.

“Medicine is always changing,” said 1st Lt. Jocelin Cartier, 28th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron physician assistant. “There’s always something new out there that can benefit someone in some way, specifically the military and deployment related.”

After serving six years in the Air Force as a pararescueman, Cartier made his career aspirations a reality when he was accepted into the Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP) in 2020.

Cartier engages with active-duty Airman regularly at the clinic, ensuring they can perform at an optimum level to carry out the 28th Bomb Wing mission from home and in deployed locations around the world.

“This is a great career field to be in if you want to practice medicine,” said Cartier. “If I had to go back and do it again, I would in a heartbeat.”