Thunderbolt steps up for Pediatrics Clinic

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Pedro Mota
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  An Airman assigned to the 56th Medical Operation Squadron pediatrics clinic was named the Thunderbolt of the week for professionalism and dedication to upholding standards within their clinic Dec. 12. 2017.

Staff Sgt. Dean Saunders, 56th MDOS noncommissioned officer in charge of the pediatrics clinic, acted as the officer in charge for four months leading up to a Joint Commission Inspection and a Unit Effectiveness Inspection.

“For a short time, the clinic was 50 percent manned,” Saunders said. “The inspections started about a week before the new OIC arrived. As the highest ranking enlisted member in our clinic, I was responsible for the preparation work. The biggest thing I could do to prepare our new Airmen was predict future possible issues by making lists and schedules to overcome the shortage.”

With five providers seeing an estimated 18 patients a day, the pediatric clinic schedules approximately twenty-two thousand appointments a year.

“During the four month period Staff Sgt. Saunders was able to help manage the care for over five thousand of our youngest Thunderbolts,” said Capt. Shelby McKay, 56th MDOS OIC of the pediatrics clinic. “With his involvement, the clinic was able to receive an additional three year accreditation from the JCI inspection and an effective rating in the UEI.”

Upon passing the inspections, Saunders continued to provide the less experienced Airmen with insight toward the future.

“This clinic has helped me realize how much stress I could really handle,” Saunders said. “I’m glad I went through this and I’m happy to have been trusted for the temporary position. I look forward to mentoring Airmen as I continue through this journey. If you want something done, you have to step up and do it on your own.”