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Tech Sgt. Nathan Quigley, a pharmacy technician with the 433rd Medical Squadron, was one of several Reservists who performed their annual training at Southwest General Hospital. This was the third year for the civilian/military hospital partnership that took Reservists from several medical specialties and teamed them with civilian counterparts for added training. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Collen McGee)

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Maj. Dennis Ramirez, a laboratory officer with the 433rd Medical Squadron, was one of several Reservists who performed their annual training at Southwest General Hospital. This was the third year for the civilian/military hospital partnership that took Reservists from several medical specialties and teamed them with civilian counterparts for added training. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Master Sgt. Collen McGee)

Reserve, civilian medical partnership may soon include eight states

Published Aug. 20, 2009
By Master Sgt. Collen McGee
433rd Airlift Wing

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE. Texas -- Patients at Southwest General Hospital saw a few Air Force uniforms this summer because Reserve Airmen from the 433rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron and 433rd Medical Squadron were working their annual tour at the civilian hospital here in San Antonio.

For the past three years, Southwest General Hospital has worked with Alamo Wing medical professionals to build a bridge between military and civilian medical providers serving southwest San Antonio. In 2007, Southwest General Hospital was the first civilian hospital in San Antonio to partner with the Air Force Reserve unit. The partnership opened additional training opportunities to the Reservists and measures the skills of Reserve medical technicians, nurses and doctors. This is the third time the 433rd Airlift Wing partnered with the area hospital.

The hospital cross referenced job descriptions and scopes of practice to find the bridge between military and civilian careers. Hospital staff members said they were excited to participate in the exchange, since many are either from military families or are Alamo Wing Reservists.
"Our doctors, our patients, love to see you here," said Sergio Farrall during a luncheon commemorating the end of this summer's partnership period.
Mr. Farrall is the Chief Executive Officer of Southwest General Hospital.

Teaming with Southwest General Hospital gives one more outlet for practical experience during annual training. This bridge offers the 433rd Airlift Wing healthcare organization a chance to partner with a local provider and serve as a dedicated and involved neighbor on San Antonio's South Side.

"What a romance," said Dr. Rene Jasso to the Alamo medical team. "We both get something out of it."

Dr. Jasso is a retired member of the 433rd Airlift Wing. The training partnership was his idea while still serving as a Reservist. Dr. Jasso said the program's repeated success prompted IASIS Healthcare to look at expanding it to the 14 other hospitals in its network. Many of those hospitals are located near military bases with Reserve and Guard medical units and Dr. Jasso said he hopes it will open up the same kind of family relationship as the one between the 433rd Airlift Wing and Southwest General Hospital.