Medical Provider Collaboration

Carrie Peacock and Dr. John Hayes, both members of the Pulaski Surgery Center, talk with Maj. Ebon Alley, the 19th Medical Group menth health flight commander, March 12, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. This event provided an opportunity for base medical professionals to build relationships with off-base providers through collaboration and exchange of ideas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regina Edwards)

Medical Provider Collaboration

Col. Douglas Littlefield, 19th Medical Group commander, welcomes civilian medical providers to the Medical Providers Collaboration Event March 12, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base. The collaboration meeting was an opportunity for base and community medical providers to network and build relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regina Edwards)

Medical Provider Collaboration

Col. William Otter, 19th Airlift Wing vice commander, and Terry Handley, the Humana North Region director, talk during the 19th Medical Group’s Medical Provider Collaboration Event March 12, 2015, at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Otter expressed his appreciation for the community’s continued support of the 19th MDG’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Regina Edwards)

Meeting of Medical Minds

Published March 19, 2015
By Senior Airman Regina Edwards
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark., -- The 19th Medical Group and Humana hosted a provider collaboration meeting March 12 at Little Rock Air Force Base.

The purpose of this occasion was to strengthen and solidify relationships with downtown providers who network with the base.

"This provides an opportunity for our primary care managers and nurses to become acquainted with our TRICARE network providers," said Leslie Kyer, the 19th Medical Group health system specialist. "We invited over 300 TRICARE network providers who have supported us over the years."

More than 40 providers attended in addition to the base's medical team. All participants were eager to meet and in many instances it allowed attendees to match names with faces for people they often communicate with over the phone.

This event provided an opportunity to improve professional relationships through collaboration and exchange of ideas as well as a chance for the 19th MDG to express their appreciation for the community's continued support of their medical mission.

During the collaboration, Col. William Otter, 19th Airlift Wing vice commander, and Col. Douglas Littlefield, 19th MDG commander, welcomed and thanked the community medical providers for attending and all they do to support the active-duty members and families of Little Rock AFB.

After the networking portion of the event was over, everyone enjoyed a meal while Littlefield and Kyer drew names for four guests to have the opportunity to enjoy a simulated ride on a C-130 or C-17.

"Based on the resounding success of this initial event, the 19th MDG plans to continue looking for opportunities to interact with our community medical partners in the future," said Kyer.