HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Air Force recognizes Jan. 27-31 as Biomedical Science Corps Appreciation Week to celebrate the work of men and women in the BSC.
The BSC is one of the most diverse Air Force corps and the most diverse in the Air Force Medical Service. It consists of physical therapists, optometrists, podiatric surgeons, physician assistants and several other medical professionals.
The Air Force has countless BSC Airmen who are critical to the mission, and Holloman is a great example of that.
“We all do our part to ensure Airmen are fit to fight,” said Maj. Thoa Pham, 49th Medical Support Squadron Diagnostics and Therapeutics flight commander. “Whether it’s mental health, public health, pharmacy, lab or any others, we are that support system that drives a lot of decision making for doctors.”
While the different occupations work together to take care of various specialized needs, they often are not as familiar with each other because of busy schedules. BSC appreciation week offers a chance for BSC members to get to know each other.
“We’ve been celebrating BSC Appreciation Week for a few years now,” said Lt. Col. Belinda Cole, Health Care Operations Squadron commander. “It builds morale, showcases our talent, and what we bring to the fight. We also learn so much. If you’re an audiologist for example and you never get out of your clinic others don't get to know you, you reach across the hall and get to know others like lab, it builds camaraderie.”
Although the Airmen from separate sections do not see each other often, they take pride in the impact they are able to provide service members, even if it is unheralded by most.
“For us specifically in lab we’re one of the jobs that don't necessarily get the face-to-face interaction as often as providers do,” said 2nd Lt. Kapahi Kawaii Puaa, 49th Medical Support Squadron Laboratory flight commander. “It’s still great to know we make a difference in others’ life behind the scenes, and they may not even know that we're the ones who did it. We definitely have a proud heritage serving as Airmen in the Biomedical Science Corps.”