Checkertail medics earn excellent rating by inspection team Published March 30, 2011 By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 325th Medical Group recently received an excellent rating from the 2011 Air Force Inspector General inspection team, and was awarded a full three-year accreditation, the highest rating possible, from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. "Air Force clinics undergo a very in-depth inspection every three years by a military and civilian inspection team," said Lt. Col. Dana James, 325th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "The Health Services Inspection is conducted by a military team from the Air Force Inspection Agency which validates quality of care and compliance of standards at every Air Force hospital and clinic around the world. Our civilian inspection was from the AAAHC." This accreditation measures the quality of outpatient clinic services and performance against nationally-recognized standards. The three-year AAAHC accreditation certificate represents that an organization is committed to providing high-quality health care. The 325th MDG has demonstrated that commitment by measuring up to the nationally-recognized standards of AAAHC. "The 325th MDG was inspected by a nine-member team from the Air Force IG and a four-member team from the AAAHC," said Colonel Paul Skala, 325th MDG commander. "The two rigorous inspections were conducted March 7 through 11, and the evaluators reviewed over 1,600 scoring elements." The 325th MDG earned a score of 90 out of 100 from the inspectors. "Our Airmen, civilians, contractors and volunteers enthusiastically embrace the 325th Fighter Wing standard of excellence and we continuously measure our performance against that standard," said Colonel Skala. "The 325 MDG Checkertail Medics have a long and distinguished heritage of taking the best care of our wing's mission, patients and Airmen. The excellent rating on the health service inspection and full accreditation from the AAAHC further validate our performance in achieving these mission sets and highlight our premier Airmen who selflessly serve Team Tyndall and the retired patriots in our Panama City community." Colonel Skala said he could not be more proud of the Checkertail Medics and the professional, disciplined, and tireless focus with which they attacked inspection preparation and execution. He also added that this is the finest team of Airmen he has served with and it was a privilege to see them recognized as excellent. "The 'Excellent' rating our Checkertail Medics earned is a direct result of being a patient and compliance-focused organization," said Colonel Skala. "Our Airmen were extremely well prepared and trained, confident in their interactions with the inspectors, and highly responsive team-players. The 325th MDG family is special because our Airmen are committed to their fellow wingmen and achieving excellence as a team." The inspection team was equally impressed. Colonel James said the inspectors commented over and over again on the professionalism, enthusiasm, and high quality health care given by the medics. They validated more than 1,600 inspection criteria through massive document and chart reviews and interactive discussions with both staff and patients. "Colonel Skala and the Checkertail Medics have been extremely active in ensuring the 325th MDG successfully meets wing and Air Force medical missions," said Col. Roger Hesselbrock, Air Force IG team lead. "HSI results validated their excellent programmatic compliance." The health service inspectors identified Capt. Andrew Wallace, 325th Aeromedical Dental Squadron, as the Top Performer and 1st Lt. Lizeth Cameron, 325th Medical Support Squadron, Capt. Donald Spaduzzi, 325th Medical Operations Squadron and Capt. Lori Wichman, 325th AMDS, as Superior Performers. The AAAHC selected Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Flanders, 325th AMDS, Mr. Rory Riley, 325th AMDS, Ms. Stacy Sherbert and Ms. Shellie Roberts, 325th MDSS, as Superior Performers. The next inspection is in 2014.