509th Medical Group ceremony stands up dual healthcare model for Airmen, families

Col. Chrystal D. Henderson, commander of the 509th Medical Group, center, and Lt. Col. Stephanie A. Forsythe, commander of the 509th Medical Operations Squadron, right, unveil the new guide-on of the newly-established and activated 509th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron during a reorganization ceremony Aug. 14, 2019, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Under the new Air Force Medical Reform model, dedicated provider care teams will be aligned to an Operational Medical Readiness Squadron primarily focused on proactively treating active-duty Airmen and improving their availability to support the warfighting mission. Care for non-active duty patients, primarily the families of service members and military retirees, will be handled by separate provider teams aligned to a Health Care Operations Squadron. Forsythe was the commander of the now inactivated Medical Operations Squadron and assumed command of the new unit from Henderson. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Barley)