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Air Force’s 959th Medical Group key player in DoD’s only Level 1 trauma center

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JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas --  Caring for complex trauma patients every day, the 959th Medical Group is integral to the San Antonio Military Medical Center's status as the only Level 1 trauma center in the Department of Defense.

"Our Airmen are the best trained and most current trauma and critical care medics in the Air Force Medical Service," said Col. Elizabeth Decker, 959th MDG commander.

SAMMC recently received Level 1 trauma center reverification from the verification review committee and ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons. Level 1 designation is the highest designation given to trauma centers by the ACS and the state of Texas.

Reverification is completed every three years and is requested by the hospital.

The 959th MDG is part of the 59th Medical Wing headquartered at nearby Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. The group works with Army counterparts throughout SAMMC, and plays a significant role in all facets of trauma care at SAMMC, Decker said.

In addition to filling key leadership roles, including the chief of trauma surgery and chief of surgery, Airmen work in emergency medicine, anesthesiology, critical care medicine, other surgical disciplines, nursing, operating room services and respiratory care, said Col. Mark Boston, 959th Medical Operations Squadron commander.
"Our Airmen are instrumental in providing care for trauma patients on a daily basis," he said.

Established by the ACS Committee on Trauma in 1987, the consultation/verification program promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide the hospital resources necessary to address the trauma needs of all injured patients.

"Reverification ensures the trauma center's commitment and dedication to our military and civilian community in providing optimal care at San Antonio Military Medical Center," said Army Maj. Scott Trexler, SAMMC Trauma and Critical Care interim chief.

"In the unfortunate event of an injury, our beneficiaries and the community can be confident a team of experts are standing by 24/7 to provide the highest level of trauma care," Trexler added.

As a Level 1 trauma center, SAMMC gives military providers the valuable experience they need to properly care for trauma patients - a skill that directly translates to saving lives on the battlefield.

"Airmen with the 959th MDG are ready to respond when called without the need for just-in-time clinical training. They are no strangers to trauma; our military medics are constantly providing safe, high quality and trusted Level 1 trauma care at SAMMC," Boston explained.

Trauma centers require a significant amount of surgical and medical resources and the best and brightest medics are placed at SAMMC, he added.

"All our beneficiaries benefit from the diverse collection of experts and highly skilled personnel it takes to run a Level 1 trauma center."

(Maria Gallegos, BAMC Public Affairs, contributed to this story)