120th Medical Group top rated

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Soulsby
  • 120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
GREAT FALLS, Mont. --  The 120th Medical Group was rated the top medical group in the Air National Guard for 2015 after an inspection by the National Guard Bureau Joint Surgeon's Office.

Nine areas at the clinic were inspected without the unit's knowledge.

"We weren't actually preparing for any type of inspection," said Chief Master Sgt. Tom Meredith, 120th Medical Group superintendent. "This award was won based on our day to day operations, following the (Air Force instructions) and doing things right regardless of who's looking."

Guided by core values, the medical group is number one in performance and effectiveness.

"A year ago the office of the surgeon general evaluated the performance and effectiveness of the medical groups," Meredith said. "They developed some criteria and assigned a point scale. As a result the 120th Medical Group was identified as the number one scoring unit in the Air National Guard across the country amongst the 89 units."

"We are known around the world, everywhere we go we hear 'Oh, Montana we've heard of you guys'," said Tech. Sgt. Janay Shultz, non-commissioned officer in charge of the cardio pulmonary lab and laboratory. "I think it's our work ethic. We just tackle our jobs, we know what has to be done and we just get it done." 

When speaking about the strengths of the medical group Tech. Sgt. Adam Wooten, 120th public health technician said, "The resources we all bring to the team, we have a group of people that are professionals on the outside. They bring those (skills) here and want to be in the military too."

Opportunities for training are just one of the benefits to being number one.

"As a result of our efforts we have been invited to participate in a (outside the continental United States) deployment for training to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii," Meredith said. "We're one of only six units that's been given this opportunity, it's going to be a joint training experience."

A team from the National Guard Bureau visited the medical group to congratulate the members, share information and visit with the wing commander about the future of medical services.