VILSECK, Germany -- The Vilseck Army Health Clinic and Rose Barracks community leaders celebrated the official completion of clinic renovations which included a new pharmacy, connecting covered walkway corridor between building wings, and a bright, attractive front entrance and lobby area for patients with a ribbon cutting ceremony, June 9 in front of the clinic.
More than 50 Soldiers, clinic staff, patients, military and community leaders, civilians and local nationals were present to officially celebrate and view the festive ribbon cutting.
The clinic renovations were required follow-ups after the new clinic facility opened in August 2015, such additions and adjustments are typical. Adjustments and subsequent construction once a facility is opened help to consolidate staff throughout the facility and allow changes to be implemented that would better serve patients.
"It was really a three-phase project that started when we opened the facility two years ago" said John Adams, Deputy District Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Europe. "After the opening we continued moving all Soldier and civilian treatment services under the same roof, incorporating the older structures in support of the new clinic. Today is the culmination of that three-phase project, and the hard work and renovations really turned out beautifully." said Adams.
Adams was also on hand to present a ceremonial key plaque to Lt. Col. Worsham to commemorate the final completion of the renovations and opening. Presenting the plaque to Worsham before the many assembled Adams said "This is a small token of our thanks for allowing us to be part of the team opening this facility to our deserving service members, families and civilians here in Vilseck."
"At the time the new Vilseck clinic was opened, operations were divided into three separate buildings, and as we began treating patients throughout the new facility we learned and noted that access to care could be improved - which included things like how our patients use our pharmacy, how they could be made more comfortable when they wait for appointments, even how parking and the front entrance to the facility could be improved for our patients, while at the same time use the renovations to make our clinic even more attractive," said Lt. Col. Vanessa Worsham, Vilseck Army Health Clinic Commander, adding "and we hit every milestone without curtailing access to care at the clinic. Throughout all of our renovations I am proud to say we were able to remain open for our patients." Worsham said.
Vilseck Army Health Clinic provides outpatient health care to approximately 15,000 patients in the Rose Barracks community. It falls under the command of the Bavaria Medical Department Activity, a part of the Regional Health Command Europe (RHC-E).
Col. Andrew Powell, Commander, U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Bavaria (MEDDAC Bavaria) on hand to participate at the ribbon cutting, praised the work of the many health care providers, health care and construction professionals on site, adding "We are always looking for ways to support our 2nd Cavalry Regiment population here in Vilseck. We ask patients and staff on how we can make that support better and how to make their visit to the clinic easier or more pleasant," he said. "we always listen and act on the feedback we get from JOES Surveys, which we take very seriously; as patients matter to and we want to ensure we are meeting their needs."
JOES is the acronym for the Joint Outpatient Experience Survey, a newly implemented outpatient survey system. The JOES survey consists of 29 questions that determine patient satisfaction regarding healthcare treatments ease of making appointments, professionalism of clinic and hospital staffs, as well questions specifically asking patients to rank the condition and overall satisfaction using a facility. In Bavaria all clinic commanders regularly study feedback from JOES surveys to continually improve patient care in their MEDDAC Bavaria facilities.
"Today's ribbon cutting is the culmination of many milestones, and each and every one was focused on improving patient care, each was a part of our continual advancement and commitment to Soldier readiness and towards the health and welfare of every patient we serve here in Vilseck." said Powell.
Following the official ceremony and ribbon cutting community members were invited for refreshments and tours through the facility.
ABOUT THE U.S. ARMY HEALTH CLINIC VILSECK
The U.S. Army Vilseck Health Clinic is a 53,000 square foot facility located on Rose Barracks at the southern tip of the Grafenwoehr Training Area. The clinic provides quality ambulatory care for more than 15,000 Soldiers and their families, while coordinating and facilitating inpatient and specialty care with nearby German host nation medical facilities and DoD partners. Services include family practice, immunizations, physical exams, acute care with trauma room, well woman and well-baby exams, Exceptional Family Member Program screening, optometry, physical therapy, hearing testing, pharmacy, X-ray and laboratory services. Rose Barracks in Vilseck is the European home of the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment (2CR), as well as elements of the 7th Army Training Command (7ATC), the largest training command outside the continental United States. The Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas provide realistic, relevant training to U.S. Army, Joint Service, NATO and allied units.
To learn more about the people and facilities of the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Bavaria (MEDDACB) and the clinics they support in Ansbach, Grafenwoehr, Hohenfels, Stuttgart and Vilseck visit the MEDDAC Bavaria website at http://rhce.amedd.army.mil/bavaria
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