Medical Group gets clean bill of health Published Feb. 2, 2007 By Courtesy 1st SOMDG HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The final results are in, and the 1st Special Operations Medical Group received an overall excellent rating on a combined military-civilian inspection conducted at Hurlburt Field in December. A nine-member team from Headquarters, Air Force Inspection Agency and a three-member team from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care thoroughly evaluated the ability of the medical group to fulfill its peacetime and wartime missions. As a result of the inspection, the medical group was awarded a three-year term of accreditation, the highest level of accreditation a medical facility can receive. The week of intense scrutiny included a review of Air Force checklists and interview sessions with unit members and members of the Hurlburt community to assess the medical care they receive here. The inspection team stated in its report, "The 1st Special Operations Medical Group is providing excellent health care to the beneficiary population of the 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command and the Department of Defense. Emphasis on the special operations mission was evident throughout the facility, with unique capabilities to provide expedited care in such critical areas as optometry and deployment processing." "I am extremely proud of what our 'Commando Medics' accomplish for our patients each and every day," said Col. David Rhodes, 1st Special Operations Medical Group commander. "The results of this inspection confirm that the men and women of the medical group are living up to our vision - To provide exceptional preventive and curative health services for our warfighters and their families." Six areas were specifically cited for outstanding ratings, including medical readiness planning, deployment processing, workplace surveillance, dentistry, behavioral health and executive oversight. Three outstanding performers were also recognized by the inspection team: Capt. Kenneth Perry, resource management; Master Sgt. Robert Kimrey, TRICARE operations; and Airman 1st Class Alina Ness, force health management. "As expected, some opportunities for improvement were identified," said Colonel Rhodes. "I am confident we can use them to build on our already excellent programs.