Medical clinic celebrates 50th anniversary Published Aug. 28, 2006 By Maj. Raymond Reser Jr. 92nd MDSS Pharmacy flight commander FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 92nd Medical Group clinic turns 50 years old this year and its history is a testimony to the ever-changing, highly adaptable people it employs. The medical group can be traced back to the horse cavalry era and the battles across the Spokane Plains. Perhaps as early as 1858, the medical unit received its first patients. Settlement wars brought many casualties. Fort George Wright hospital was built in 1898. It officially became part of the Spokane Army-Air Depot in 1941. In 1943, the facility became an Army-Air Base hospital. In 1944 Fort George Wright hospital was re-designated an Army-Air Force Regional Convalescent Hospital for recovering and adapting veterans. Routine rehabilitative measures included farming culture, crafts, sports and hunting. Also in that year, women began exercising leadership in nursing and medical support roles such as technicians, pharmacists and dietitians. As members of the Women's Army Corps, they were seen as competent assets to the medical corps. The 92nd Station Medical Group was created in 1949 and the hospital was moved from Fort George Wright to Spokane Air Force Base. The base was renamed Fairchild AFB in 1951. The hospital was moved to the cantonment across from what was the base theater and designated as the 4162nd U.S. Air Force Hospital. One more location change in 1956, to its current location, facilitated another regrouping to the 810th MDG in 1959. In 1961 the Medical Group hospital became a Regional Consulting Center for the Northwest. In 1969, this need for services prompted the Fairchild AFB's hospital to become the U.S. Air Force Regional Hospital for Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The hospital was de-regionalized in 1976 and continued to provide regional care for military members, families and veterans. In the 1980s there were new additions to health services. There was a form of extended hospice in 1982 that helped Air Force families face terminal illness and cancer care. In 1986 dental assistant training was initiated. Hyperbaric medicine was added prior to 1980 and full obstetric care was available to military families until the summer months of 1995. In recent years, preventive health strategies are being emphasized at the 92nd MDG. Putting prevention into practice began to take shape in the form of a working group. A select member from each avenue of patient care takes part in a process to promote wellness within Air Force medical systems. Another preventive cost saving strategy is the TRICARE Access Health Line. This is an ask-an-RN phone line that patients can call to determine whether home care is enough or if they need to seek immediate medical attention. This strategy could play a significant role should a pandemic or bioterrorism event occur to prevent over-running the clinic. The staff, employees and volunteers of the Fairchild hospital have always been committed to the community on and off base. For example, Fairchild volunteers and military members have been involved with the Federal Emergency Management Agency during natural disasters. No matter what new changes and challenges may be in store for the 92nd MDG, its vision will remain true: "Professional Expeditionary Medics... Teaming for World Class Medical Service; Keeping our Airmen Fit to Fight!"