Luke AFB medical group named best in Air Force Published Feb. 18, 2011 By Stephen Delgado 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) -- The 56th Medical Group clinic from here was named the Air Force's best clinic for Fiscal 10 during the Military Healthcare Symposium in Washington Jan. 24 through Jan. 27. The award was presented to Col. Mark Holland, the 56th MDG commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Monica Hill, the 56th MDG superintendant, by Lt. Gen. Bruce Green, the Air Force Surgeon General. "Our clinic was faced with numerous challenges, such as a $24-million renovation project and the deployment of 96 individuals to support three humanitarian projects that accomplished 11,000 visits," Colonel Holland said. "We delivered 184,000 outpatient visits, saving $12 million in private-sector care." Not only that, "We are affiliated with Scottsdale Health Care relating to trauma care, the nurse transition program and modeling and simulation," Colonel Holland said. "Luke (Air Force Base) has one of two civilian nurse transition programs in the Air Force. We assisted in the development of a $3.2-million simulation center at SHC that trains military members in the active, Guard and Reserve components. The 56th (Medical Group) also has a good partnership with the Veterans Administration." It was a total team effort, according to Chief Hill. "Dental productivity was up 18 percent, and we were number one or two in AETC for patient satisfaction and our clinic had zero mishaps," Chief Hill said. The work of the clinic didn't stop at the end of the workday. "Our staff donated 1,450 hours to several organizations in the area," Chief Hill said. "I was so thrilled when they won this award." Luke competed against 58 Air Force clinics. The 56th Medical Group has a staff of 540 people consisting of military, civilian and contract personnel.