ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --
Personnel assigned to the 28th Medical Group are no strangers to delivering top-notch care to the Ellsworth Airmen and their families. From x-rays to simple checkups, the 28th MDG has shown its dedication to their mission of providing quality healthcare and ensuring Airmen are mission capable with their recent string of awards.
From being the number one Air Combat Command Clinic of the Year in 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2015, to recently being certified by the Joint Commission, an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the U.S., members of team Ellsworth can rest assured the 28th MDG takes pride in accomplishing their mission.
Now the clinic has another accomplishment to add to the growing list: the 28th Medical Support Squadron clinical laboratory recently received a no-notice inspection from the College of American Pathologists, achieving a zero-discrepancy success.
“[The] CAP inspects both Department of Defense and civilian laboratories,” said Col. Christopher Dun, the commander of the 28th MDG. “It is considered the ‘Gold Standard’ within the industry for validating clinical safety and quality.”
This organization is made up of board-certified pathologists who serve patients, pathologists and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide.
“The clinical lab offers services to around 16,000 beneficiaries in the area, while also supporting the medical staff,” said 1st Lt. Elizabeth Martinez, the clinical laboratory flight commander. “In addition, we provide services for specialty health care providers off base. With both of those numbers combined, that’s about 165 providers we offer our services to.”
Dun noted the zero discrepancy inspection placed Ellsworth’s clinical lab in the top one percent of all labs inspected this year.
“It feels wonderful knowing that our technicians work hard to accomplish their mission every day,” Martinez said. “Seeing their hard work pay off is so rewarding.”