Clinic marks completion of renovation phase one

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Col. Thomas Sharpy, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, and Col. Barbara Jefts, 92nd Medical Group commander, cut the ribbon signifying the completion of phase one in the 92nd MDG clinic renovation Nov. 7 as Ky Hornbaker, United Excel Corporation president, and Lt. Col Kevin Purvis, Health Facility Office Western Region, look on. (U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt. JT May III)

Clinic marks completion of renovation phase one

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. – Col. Barbara Jefts, 92nd Medical Group commander, speaks at the ribbon cutting that signified the completion of phase one in the renovation of the 92nd MDG clinic Nov. 7. “This is a professional environment… now we have world-class facilities to deliver world-class care,” she said. (U.S. Air Force photo / Staff Sgt. JT May III)

Clinic marks completion of renovation phase one

Published Nov. 8, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Kali L. Gradishar
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 92nd Medical Group clinic hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 7 acknowledging the end of phase one of the renovation project at the clinic here.

"Every member of Team Fairchild uses this facility," said. Col. Thomas Sharpy, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "And now the mission is enhanced and our families are getting taken care of due to this upgraded facility."

The renovation project involved the reconstruction of the radiology, laboratory, pharmacy, pediatric, immunization and mental health areas, including the waiting areas and other patient care facilities.

"A project like this has a wide significance," said Lt. Col. Kevin Purvis, Health Facilities Office chief. "This is a huge project for Fairchild, and it is a huge benefit to Airmen and their families and to the staff here."

Colonel Purvis recognized a few key team players in the renovation project, which included Team Fairchild member Terrance Douglas, the 92nd MDG clinic facility manager, and presented to them a letter of appreciation for their efforts in accomplishing the renovation.

If there were a most valuable player award, it would have gone to Lt. Col. Allison Keck for the impact she had on this project, as she has continued working on the renovation project since its beginning and is still involved, said Colonel Purvis.

The medical clinic buildings are aged, approximately 50 years old. However, the renovation of the interior of the clinic has given it a more modern, tidy look.

The facility is as old as the aircraft the wing flies, the KC-135 Stratotanker. As the aircraft has made advancements on the inside while maintaining the exterior, so has the medical clinic, compared Col. Barbara Jefts, 92nd MDG commander.

"We made do with what we had on the outside to perform what we needed on the inside," said Colonel Jefts. "This really is an important event for us. It's a symbolic event for us at the end of phase one."

"Now we have world-class facilities to deliver world-class care," said the medical group commander.