VOL. 64 N O. 16
T H U R S DAY, A P R I L 16, 2020
SPACE OBSERVER P E T E R S O N
A I R
F O R C E
B A S E
Peterson’s medical dream team keeps base safe By SSgt Alexandra Longfellow 21ST SPACE WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The 21st Medical Group has stood up two operations in the matter of days, showcasing the true readiness capabilities of the group as a whole. Capt. Jennifer Shoemake, 21 MDG clinical team chief, and Capt. Lorna Neeley, 21 MDG patient administration team chief, have been vital in the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 with stand-up of the Point of Testing Center and the more recent drive-thru pharmacy. “Our most valuable assets are our personnel who can adjust to quickly changing environments and meet the needs of our beneficiaries,” Neeley said. “With the set-up of the drive-thru pharmacy, we see not only our medics in action but our trained augmentees stepping in to keep our base and their entire population safe.” Both Shoemake and Neeley train base augmentees on proper protocol to dispense hundreds of pharmaceuticals to beneficiaries while patients never need to leave their vehicles. “Without the Airmen serving as augmentees, the pharmacy operations would be unable to add these enhanced safety precautions,” Shoemake said. “This mission could not exist without them.” With a robust Air Force Medical Service training program, Neeley said these are the moments when she taps into all the lessons learned and hands-on-training she has received. “Although we have not trained on these specific constructs, using the foundation provided we are able to come up with a deployed-like setting operation and execution to ensure we meet not only Air Force mandates, but in this case, the CDCs evolving guidance, meeting our number one priority of patient and staff safety, while delivering benefits,” Neeley said. Shoemake agrees with Neeley and states she and her team have needed to flex and evolve throughout this pandemic. “As a nurse practitioner, I am well aware that medicine is also constantly evolving and we must be willing to acknowledge that in order to keep our patients safe,” Shoemake said. “In this environment we are not only responsible for our patients, but even more so our Airmen. They are the most limited resource and without them, we would not be able to fulfill the mission.” Part of their work not only includes training augmentees, but their staff on personal protective equipment. As guidance comes down, direction changes regularly. Shoemake and Neeley need to ensure everyone is using the most current recommendations. “We worry about the team with PPE, shelters for inclement weather and making sure our people wash their uniforms daily,” Shoemake said. “It is very big stuff, but it’s the little stuff, too.” They both say they are doing what they can to make sure people can continue to complete the mission safely. “These are the times in the Air Force that you are given the opportunity to step up and you learn what people are really capable of,” Neeley said. “New bonds of friendship and camaraderie are born. As the stress levels mount and people get tired, we need to lean on our team. That has definitely happened more and more as we have worked together as a team.” Shoemake said the highlight of this situation has been stepping out of her normal operations in order to serve a bigger purpose. “The Airmen often tell us that even though they are tired and physically exhausted, they are grateful to be making a difference. It feels that way for us, too.”
(Air Force photo by Craig Denton)
Airman 1st Class Grant Alvarez, 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron (left) and Capt. Lorna Neeley, 21st Medical Group, assist customers at the new drive-thru pharmacy located at the Peterson base exchange parking lot April 8, 2020. Customers can drive up to a series of stations and have their prescription delivered to their vehicle. This new procedure is being used to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
INSIDE
SUPPORT FOR COVID-19 FOOD BANK MISSION PAGE 4
(Air Force photo by Craig Denton)
Capt. Jennifer Shoemake, 21st Medical Group clinical team chief, wears a face mask while assisting with the new drive-thru pharmacy located at the base exchange parking lot 8 April 2020 at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. Individuals requiring prescriptions can now drive up, stay in their vehicle and their prescription will be delivered to them. This new procedure is being used to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
(Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandra M. Longfellow)
Capt. Lorna Neeley, 21st Medical Group patient administration team chief, and Capt. Jennifer Shoemake, 21 MDG clinical team chief, assists with the drive-thru pharmacy April 15, 2020. Shoemake and Neeley have been vital in the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 with the stand-up of the Point of Testing Center and the more recent drive-thru pharmacy.
NEWS 1-12 | CLASSIFIED 13 | CROSSWORD 15
FINANCE AIRMEN DRIVING THE MISSION AMONG COVID-19 PAGE 7
AF WEEK IN PHOTOS PAGE 8
EMEDS MAINTAINS READINESS POSTURE PAGE 12