Airmen assist in transfer of patients to new Misawa City Hospital

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Cammie Quinn
  • 35th Fighter Wing, Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Members of the 35th Medical Group here teamed up with the Misawa City Fire Department and Japan Air Self-Defense Force to transfer Misawa City Hospital patients to a new downtown treatment facility Nov. 5.

During the transfer, more than 80 patients, 15 of whom were critical care patients, were transported by ambulance to the new Misawa City Hospital, which first opened its doors less than a week before the move.

The old hospital was built in the early 1950s and, while still operational, was in of need many repairs, said Col. Guillermo Tellez, the 35th Medical Group commander

"Patients will be greeted in a state-of-the-art facility with state-of-the-art equipment in the new facility," he said. "The hospital includes pathology and oncology departments, too."

The joint team brought two ambulances to assist the move from the previous hospital.

Colonel Tellez said one patient stands out as particularly memorable.

"We transferred a young woman who was in active labor during the move," the colonel said. "For us to bring in the new mom in (one of) our ambulances was very special for us. I suspect in the next few days we'll have a new Misawan in the new facility."

The new facility will support both Misawa residents, and the local U.S. military community. More than 800 patients each year are transferred from 35th Medical Group to the city hospital when in need of CT scans and MRIs, said Tech. Sgt. Sarah Ortega-Russell, 35th Medical Operations Squadron.

The city hospital has an open-door policy with the base, and provides medical aid and analysis to base personnel on a regular basis, she added.

The agreement with the Misawa City Hospital to support Airmen and their family members is unique and indicative of the relationship between the base and the Misawa community, Colonel Tellez said.

"There is no written memorandum of understanding," he explained. "The agreement to support, accept and take care of our folks is solely based on a handshake."

"For Dr. Sakata, Misawa City Hospital CEO, and Misawa Mayor Kazumasa Taneichi to ask us to help move their patients is very special," the colonel added. "(They) have confidence in our staff to help them move we'll never forget how much it means to us."

"With tremendous assistance from Misawa Air Base, everything went smoothly," said a Misawa city official. "Mayor Taneichi and the Misawa City Hospital staff express their sincere appreciation to Misawa Air Base officials."