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HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- (left to right) U.S. Air Force Col. Frank Glenn, Maj. Gen. Craig S. Olson, Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II, Maj. Aron Potter, Col. Lester A. Weilacher, U.S. Army Col. Charles Samaris and Joe Spangenberger cut the ribbon on the new Mental Health facility attached to the 66th Medical Squadron clinic Feb. 13. Construction on the facility began in May 2012 and will officially open to patients Feb. 26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Wyatt)
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New mental health facility to provide care, comfort for patients
Posted 2/14/2013 Updated 2/14/2013
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by Sarah Olaciregui
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
2/14/2013 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- An official ribbon cutting ceremony was held Feb. 13 to mark the opening of the new mental health clinic adjacent to the 66th Medical Squadron facility on Vandenberg Drive.
The $2.8 million, 3,773 square feet, one story addition will hold mental health outpatient care, the Family Advocacy Program, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program and the resiliency function when it opens to patients Feb. 26. The Drug Demand Reduction Program will remain in its current location in Building 1212.
Maj. Aron Potter, Mental Health Flight commander, is looking forward to moving into the new space.
"These plans have been in the works for over two years," he said. "It's really exciting to see the finished product."
Potter notes that the new facility will allow the staff to be more efficient and productive by being in the same location as the main clinic. Additionally, the flight staff size will increase by adding a new contracted psychiatrist, further allowing them to meet the needs of the Hanscom community.
"This new building will be better for our patients," said Potter. "But processes and procedures won't change. When patients arrive, they will check in at the front desk, as usual."
The mental health clinic will feature a separate entrance and waiting room on the west side of Building 1900 and will not be accessible from inside the main clinic. Parking will also be available on the west side of the building.
"The new design allows for confidentiality, which is important when it comes to mental health," Potter said.
The facility will also be state of the art, according to Potter.
"We'll have a room designated for tele-psychiatry via VTC (video teleconference) so we can provide services for down range servicemembers," he said. "Now, there will be separate testing rooms for the ANAM (Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric), the SUAT (Substance Use Assessment Tool) and psychological testing.
Once the clinic reopens, the hours will not change. Hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the first Friday of each month from 7:30 to 11 a.m.
The clinic will continue to serve active duty members from all service branches who are eligible to receive treatment from the 66th Medical Squadron, with needs such as stress, anger, anxiety, depression, adjustment problems, relationship issues, as well as intervention and prevention of mental health issues.
While the clinic is closed for the move, anyone with an emergency need should call 781-225-6789 or dial 911. For additional information about the 66th Medical Squadron, visit www.hanscom.af.mil/units/clinic/index.asp. |
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