Med Group celebrates nurse, medical tech week Published May 4, 2016 By Lt. Col. Melissa Smith Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Each year in May, nearly 3.4 million registered nurses, constituting our nation's largest health care profession in the United States, begin a weeklong celebration recognizing the contributions nurse's make to healthcare. The week begins today, marked as National Nurse's Day, and ends on Thursday, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of the nursing profession. Nurses and medical technicians at the 78th Medical Group are an integral part of each patient's provider team, committed to creating a patient centered culture that achieves predictably excellent results with safety as the priority. The Air Force Medical Service is proud to deliver "Trusted Care Anywhere," with a steadfast goal to eliminate harm to patients by identifying and eliminating risk before it becomes a harmful error. With the Air Force Surgeon General's emphasis on the Air Force Patient Medical Home, nurses and technicians are increasingly able to collaborate as a team with other healthcare providers in delivering the best quality healthcare to our beneficiaries. This year's National Nursing Week theme of "Culture of Safety; it starts with you," is especially fitting to the Air Force's Medical Service initiative of "Trusted Care Anywhere." Nurses and medical technicians in the 78th MDG will enjoy a week of celebration that emphases patient safety and recognizes the individuals dedicated to meeting the healthcare need of those military and civilian beneficiaries at Robins Air Force Base. The American Nurses Association, as the voice for registered nurses of this country, work to chart a new course for a healthy nation that relies on renewing an emphasis and increasing delivery of primary and preventive healthcare. As the population in America ages and life-sustaining technologies expand, more qualified registered nurses will be needed in the future to meet the increasingly complex needs of health care consumers. Professional nursing demonstrates an indispensable component of the safety and quality of care. Qualified registered nurses will be needed in the future to meet the increasingly complex needs of patients and improve cost-effective, safe, high-quality health care services. In other Medical Group news, The 78th Medical Group's pharmacy will close at 11 a.m. on May 13 in support of spring Wingman Day activities. This is in addition to the normal closure on May 12 at noon for training. All services will be available from 7:30 to noon on Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on May 13. Please plan accordingly. Sports Physicals: The 78th Medical Group supports the Robins community with sports physicals throughout the year for enrolled students age 13 to 18 participating in school sports. In order to make the most of our available resources appointments are accomplished daily, can be conducted in the Family Health or Pediatrics Clinics, includes any required vaccinations, and are valid for 12 months from date of service. You may sign up for an appointment at 327-7850. Help expedite your appointment with completion of the American Academy of Pediatrics required form that can be easily located at: http://www.robins.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-130522-037.pdf.