Keesler is top AF hospital

Keesler Air Force Base Medical Center in Biloxi, Miss., was named by the AF surgeon general’s office as the top “Hospital of the Year” within the Air Force. The facility, operated by the 81st Medical Group (MDG), manages one of the busier hospitals within the Defense Department, according to an 81st Training Wing media release. There was no mention as to the hospital’s daily in-patient census. AF hospitals were judged in four categories: Readiness, operational support, medical home, and trusted care. Keesler's proficiency in all four categories set it apart, according to the release. In 2017, the medical center responded to numerous crises and natural disasters. Days after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the medical center's critical care air transport teams deployed to support rescue and recovery efforts in Texas and Florida. (Source: NOLA.com 02/23/18) Keesler Medical Center is the second largest AF medical center. The 81st MDG command oversees the Gulf Coast Multi-Service Market, which includes five military facilities from Mobile, Ala., to New Orleans. It has the fourth largest AF deployment platform: 60-plus personnel annually. The hospital has 66 training affiliations with 35 different institutions for physicians, technicians, and nurses. The General Surgery residency program is integrated with Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla., and 96th Medical Group at Eglin AFB, Fla. In 2005, the hospital was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, and took more than a year to totally rebound from those damages. It’s unclear whether the residency at Pensacola will continue based on the Navy facility dropping in-patient services this coming July. There was no mention as to Keesler's daily in-patient census.