509th Medical Group hosts open house for network providers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joel Pfiester
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The 509th Medical Group (MDG) recently hosted an open house event, inviting Tricare network providers to Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.

Providers from all around the local area, including Warrensburg, Knob Noster and Sedalia, Missouri, came to the installation to learn the mission, see how their services support it, and even get up close to a B-2 Stealth Bomber.

“The main purpose of the open house was to give our local network providers a first-hand view of the Whiteman mission and how they contribute,” said 2nd Lt. Sarah Trachte, Tricare operations and patient administration flight commander from the 509th MDG. “In addition, it allows our on-base providers the chance to meet with face-to-face with providers in the network and build long lasting partnerships.”

“The 509th MDG provides trusted medical support, community health and wellness and develops and sustains mission-ready medics to support Combatant and Joint Force Commanders,” said Col. Chrystal Henderson, the 509th Medical Group commander. “The group also provides health services for more than 12,000 beneficiaries.”

Much like the maintenance that goes into supporting the B-2 Spirit, it is equally important to maintain the human weapon system by keeping Whiteman Airmen healthy and in top-notch shape, said Henderson. However, since the clinic is an outpatient clinic, and not a fully functioning hospital, it often has to refer patients to off-base providers for their health care needs.

“The 509th MDG relies on our network providers to provide additional services not offered within our clinic,” said Trachte. “These providers ensure that our active duty members and their dependents have all their health care needs met.”