72nd MDG proves motto “best care anywhere” Published Feb. 23, 2008 By Lt. Col. Timothy A. Dykens 72nd Medical Group TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The 72nd Medical Group keeps showing what it means to be a "wildcatter," the 72nd Air Base Wing's mascot. Their consistent "over-the-top" effort and performance has resulted in a deluge of personal and group awards, numerous unit successes, and most importantly the "best care anywhere" for members of Tinker, their families and deployed members world-wide. "I could not be any prouder than I am of the men and women of the 72nd Medical Group," said Col. Roger Goetz, 72nd MDG commander. "The AFMC award nominees and selectees are the best of the best." Fifty-eight members from the 72nd MDG were recognized in annual medical service award categories and submitted to compete at Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters for 2007. There were winners in 21 different categories. The medical group also competed as a unit and was selected as Tinker's submission to AFMC for the 2007 "Spirit of Hope" award, the United Service Organization's highest and most prestigious award. The USO's award criteria distinguish the award recipients as "individuals and organizations that epitomize the values of our service members: honor, loyalty, courage, commitment, and selfless service." "Those awards use words like 'top-notch,' 'first-rate', 'outstanding,' and others," said Colonel Goetz, "but in hallway conversations, meetings and other gatherings at the medical group, you hear words like, 'teamwork,' 'wingman,' 'taking care of families,' and 'supporting warfighters.' These aren't just words to our dedicated professionals; they are a commitment to the Air Force's most valuable assets, our people." In the past year, the group medically processed more than 3,500 personnel for worldwide deployments in the Global War on Terror, conducted more than 166,000 patient visits and dispensed more than 300,000 prescriptions. They also completed more than 5,000 protective mask fit tests, provided more than 211,000 lab tests, participated in seven wing-level exercises, and still found time to maintain deployment standards for more than 300 of their own personnel for Air Expeditionary Force rotations. The group accomplished these achievements while deploying more than 50 of their own people to 13 different countries including the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. "We have only one mission," Colonel Goetz said, "to support the warfighters and take care of their families, past and present. Our vision, our motto, and our purpose is 'best care anywhere.'"