8th MDG teams with local hospital for better services

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Gustavo Gonzalez
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  An agreement between the 8th Medical Group and a local hospital is hoped to provide better medical care to Wolf Pack Airmen. 

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Jesus Hospital's International Clinic in Jeonju, Republic of Korea, and the 8th MDG to allow Kunsan patients needing additional follow up care a more convenient option for receiving his or her care. A major advantage is that increased medical services will be available in the local area so patients need not to travel to areas such as Seoul or Osan Air Base for specialty care. 

"A Memorandum of Understanding is an agreement to provide medical care to our Wolf Pack beneficiary population," said Master Sgt. Donna Williams, 8th MDG. "It improves patient care by increasing our service provider options. Increasing the options available for our beneficiaries ultimately increases the number of specialties and specialists available, and decreases patient wait times to get into needed specialty care appointments." 

According to Capt. Jennifer Cowie, 8th MDG, the expanded services available to the Airmen and Soldiers of the Wolf Pack include radiology, cardiology and neurology.
In addition to providing additional medical services, the Jesus Hospital also sought to make their American patients more comfortable while receiving care by joining with the 8th MDG staff to better their English. 

"We meet with Jesus Hospital students weekly for approximately two hours and review many of the medical scenarios and cultural differences they are sure to face with our beneficiaries," said Sergeant Williams. "During the week, they are also encouraged to read and practice speaking as much English as possible. If they have questions, we are available to assist them either by email or telephone." 

"The staff is very excited to learn more about American culture so they can better understanding our needs," added Captain Cowie. 

Recently the medical group staff took the partnership one step further when they invited members of the Jesus Hospital staff to Kunsan for a tour of the medical facility and more English lessons. 

According to Captain Cowie, the hospital staff members were divided into groups based on their English speaking level. 

"Those that spoke a fair amount of English were in my group," she said. "We talked about various issues such as fast food and family relations, such as what we call one's uncle, aunt, step father, etc. The other groups followed a medical language lesson plan and they discuss the words and meanings of the topics chosen by the instructor, such as what one of them would say for a particular type of exam." 

The medical group staff hopes to continue the partnership between the two organizations for as long as necessary. For Captain Cowie, the tangible benefit she see personally is the opportunity to work alongside the Korean medics. 

"It is a great experience to work with our Korean counterparts and to be welcomed so warmly when we arrive downtown," she said. "They have a great spirit and they really are focused on providing the best possible service to our patients here from Kunsan."

Sergeant Williams takes pride in playing a role in expanding of the medical care available to Kunsan's Airmen and Soldiers and hopes to see more events like the one they recently hosted in the future. 

"It was such a pleasure teaching English to these willing and highly attentive participants. The gratitude they expressed for our assistance was absolutely overwhelming," she said. "I'm certain as we continue to expand our MOU 'network' there will be plenty of opportunities to participate in initiatives such as this in the future."