Fairchild celebrates BSC week

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Whitney Laine
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Team Fairchild honors the Air Force’s Biomedical Sciences Corps’ 54th anniversary by participating in the Air Force’s recognition of BSC Appreciation Week 28 Jan. through 1 Feb.

The BSC comprises of a diversified range of subject matter experts within the Air Force’s patient care systems, such as optometry, clinical psychology, pharmacy, physical therapy and many more.

“This week is an opportunity to recognize the 10 BSC disciplines and career fields offered at Fairchild and celebrate the hard work of our team members,” said Capt. Ryan Comes, 92nd Medical Group Diagnostics Flight commander.

The BSC specialty is less known due to being embedded into the existing sections of Air Force medical groups that Airmen and dependents use every day, serving to compliment and strengthen patient care.

“Whether it is the lab work Airmen need to be cleared to deploy, the medication and physical therapy to help get back to the mission quicker, or the behavioral health maintenance to help enhance a strong mental pillar, BSC's fingerprints are all over keeping our Airmen mission-ready,” Comes said.

Following the establishment of the Air Force Medical Service, BSC was formed in 1965 to provide a broad base of subject matter experts to help with productivity, quality healthcare and force performance within the Air Force.

“The 92 MDG’s BSC function benefits everyone by offering one location to receive care from our trusted team, and a single medical system to more efficiently store, track and recall records from,” said Maj. John Tonarelli, 92nd MDG Physical Therapy Clinic Flight commander. “For example, because our providers are at one location, we are able to better communicate to find the best possible solution for each treatment, while also identifying trends within our care to create a preventative action plan in the earliest stages.”

Through continuous change and evolution, BSC has grown to 17 primary specialties and is the most diverse Air Force medical corps.

“BSCs are an integral piece of the team and are integrated into the support network that keeps our air refueling mission moving here at Fairchild, and the global drive to Fly, Fight, and Win,” Comes said.