Service members from the 79th Medical Wing and the 779th Medical Group joined forces to wish Air Force Medical Services a Happy Birthday July 1, 2015. (U.S. Air force photo/Melanie Moore)

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Happy Birthday Air Force Medical Service. "What I love about the Air Force is that it has allowed me to achieve my dream of working as a physician and also serving in the military,” said Maj. Derric Whiteside, 779th Medical Operations Squadron internist. (U.S. Air force photo/Melanie Moore)

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$James Colgain, 779th Medical Group optometrist, reviews 811th Security Forces Squadron response force member, Airman 1st Class J.D. Whelihan’s orbscan and wavescan results, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. Dr. Colgain will use this information and other measurements to determine if the patient is a candidate for refractive surgery. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Perry Aston)$

Happy Birthday Air Force Medical Service. “Every day, I have the opportunity to help our military personnel to fly, fight and win more effectively, by eliminating, or greatly diminishing their dependence on glasses and contacts. I am proud to be part of a program dedicated to excellence,” said Lt. Col. (retired) (Dr.) James Colgain, 779th Medical Group optometrist. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Happy Birthday Air Force Medical Service. “I love the Air Force Medical Service because I have always enjoyed learning about medicine and helping people feel better. I also want to help them live a healthy lifestyle. It’s a great way to serve people and my country at the same time,” said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Sherrill, 779th Medical Operations Squadron education and training technician. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kathy Canfield)

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Happy Birthday Air Force Medical Service. "I love being a Pharmacy Technician in the U.S. Air Force because I get to coordinate patient care with the doctors and also get the opportunity to interact with the patients," said Airman 1st Class Christopher Barta, 779th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy technician. (U.S. Air Force photo/Kathy Canfield)

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Happy Birthday Air Force Medical Service

Published June 4, 2015
By Kathleen Canfield
779th Medical Support Squadron

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Happy Birthday Air Force Medical Service!

The combat elements of the Army Air Forces separated from the U.S. Army in 1947 but medical care remained a U.S. Army responsibility until 1949. That's when the first Air Force Surgeon General, Maj. General Malcolm C. Grow convinced the United States Army and President Harry Truman that the Air Force needed its own medical service and the Air Force Medical Services was created in 1949.

"Twenty-six years in the Air Force and every day I am honored to be a part of the Air Force Nurse Corps ... the "Heartbeat" of the AF/AFMS ... We Lead, We Partner, We Care ... Every time ... Delivering Trusted Care Anywhere ...," said Col. Yolanda Bledsoe, 79th Medical Wing command nurse.

"As an Air Force otolaryngology surgeon, I have this awesome but proud and appreciably humble ability to contribute and serve as part of the world's greatest Air Force doing something I love - being a surgeon taking care of patients, hopefully inspiring others to walk along the same path," said Col. (Dr.) LaKeisha Henry, 779th Surgical Operations Squadron commander and Air Force Surgeon General otolaryngology consultant.

"What I love about the Air Force is that it has allowed me to achieve my dream of working as a physician and also serving in the military," said Maj. Derric Whiteside, 779th Medical Operations Squadron internist.

"I love the Air Force Medical Service because I have always enjoyed learning about medicine and helping people feel better and live a healthy lifestyle. It's a great way to serve people and my country at the same time," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Sherrill, 779th Medical Group education and training technician.

"Every day, I have the opportunity to help our military personnel to fly, fight and win more effectively, by eliminating, or greatly diminishing their dependence on glasses and contacts. I am proud to be part of a program dedicated to excellence," said Lt. Col. (retired) (Dr.) James Colgain, 779th MDG optometrist.