47th Medical Group

Mission of the 47th Medical Group

The primary mission of the 47th Medical Group at Laughlin Air Force Base is to support the 47th Flying Training Wing's medical, dental and aeromedical needs in support of Laughlin’s Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training mission. The medical group is responsible for the health care of more than 3,400 Department of Defense (DoD) beneficiaries and ensuring the medical readiness mission for wartime and worldwide contingencies.

The clinic received its first accreditation from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations in December 1997. Since then, the Medical Group continues to earn the accreditation and as such, earned the highest accreditation rating in the entire DoD during the October 2019 Joint Commission inspection.

History of the 47th Medical Group

Laughlin opened its first hospital Jan. 7, 1955. The facility contained 50 beds, (expandable to 100 beds), seven operating rooms, a dental clinic, and three flight surgeon offices. In 1977,the existing facility was completed, encompassing more than 80,000 square feet with 20 beds (expandable to 50 beds) two operating rooms, and a multi-service care unit.

Mirroring the rightsizing of the Air Force, Laughlin's inpatient services closed and the hospital became a clinic Oct. 1,1996. Changes to the facility included replacing the operating rooms and inpatient unit with an outreach clinic and a health and wellness center. Through a joint venture with the Val Verde Regional Medical Center, Air Force physicians admitted and treated DoD beneficiaries in the local civilian hospital. (The arrangement is no longer in effect).

The clinic received its first-ever accreditation from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations in December 1997. Its most recent TJC accreditation was in November 2016.

In 2004, the clinic underwent a $7.5 million renovation project, which transformed the clinic's interior into a more efficient setting for outpatient care.

Squadrons of the 47th Medical Group

The 47th Medical Group is comprised of two squadrons with 165 medical personnel.

The Healthcare Operations Squadron provides healthcare services and support in Family Health, Pediatrics, Laboratory, Radiology, Pharmacy, Immunizations, TRICARE and Patient Administration Services, Resource Management, Information Systems, and Logistics.

The Operational Medical Readiness Squadron provides primarily Active Duty healthcare services in Flight Medicine, Optometry, Health and Wellness, Dental, Public Health, Bioenvironmental Engineering, Mental Health, and Medical Readiness.

Click below for Laughlin Tricare information:

 

    

(CLICK ON THE EMBLEMS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE 47TH FLYING TRAINING WING'S GROUPS!)

Col. Kelly Vermillion

47th Medical Group commander

Chief Master Sgt. Amber Ard

47th Medical Group senior enlisted leader