JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Defense Health Agency leadership visited Joint Base Charleston July 30, 2018, to better understand the unique mission sets of the base and the needs of beneficiaries served by the 628th Medical Group as it transitions to fall under DHA management.
The 628th MDG will be one of the first military treatment facilities within the Air Force to transition to the DHA supervision.
“The transition to DHA management for beneficiaries of the 628th Medical Group will be seamless,” said Lt. Col. Trevor Schar, 628th MDG deputy commander. “The medical group will continue to offer the same services and commitment to delivering first rate healthcare to the patients we serve every day.”
The visit allowed senior medical leaders including Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, Defense Health Agency director and Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, a chance to develop a better understanding of the medical services provided by the 628th MDG as well as the strengths and challenges of delivering high quality healthcare in the Charleston region. It also provided the opportunity for the DHA to field and answer questions from JB Charleston leadership and Airmen at the 628th MDG regarding the transition of Air Force military treatment facilities under one combined administration known as the Defense Health Agency.
This visit consisted of a consolidated mission brief, a strategic discussion with military medical senior leadership, a medical group facility walking tour and ended with an in-depth question and answer session on the transition.
“I know there are a lot of questions you might have,” said Bono. “We are very interested to hear what your thoughts are and what we can do to make this transition as easy as possible.”
By October 2021, all military treatment facilities to include overseas facilities are scheduled to transition to DHA management. The intent of the transition is to create a single, integrated military health system designed around delivering healthcare and ensuring military medical readiness for years to come.
"This is a shared collaborative responsibility," said Hogg. "There are some things that are purely readiness, some that are purely benefit, but there's a lot that's connected. We will work together to accomplish the job and ensure integration occurs."
The 628th MDG is slated to transition in October 2018, but Naval Health Clinic Charleston will not transition until a later date.