OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. –
The 55th Medical Group recently announced its holiday season family day schedule for the Ehrling Bergquist Clinic.
The EBC, as well as the satellite clinic, will be open from 7:30 a.m. to Noon on both December 26, 2023, and January 2, 2024, which are recognized as family days by Air Combat Command.
“We’ve tried to increase access for our beneficiaries,” said Col. Tracy Bozung, 55th MDG commander. “We’ll have all product lines open in some capacity so hopefully our beneficiaries, especially our military members, can get their medical needs met at time when they don’t have work commitments.
“While we will be half-staffed during the two holiday weeks, we think this arrangement allows our Mighty Medics team an opportunity to enjoy the down time with their family while also ensuring we’re meeting the needs of those who use our facility,” she added.
This is a shift from how the EBC has operated during family days in the past and how they will operate in the future, so Colonel Bozung wants to ensure everyone who relies on the EBC is aware.
“This holiday family day schedule is a slightly different than the rest of the 2024 family day schedule,” the commander said.
For the first half of 2024, the MDG will have all product lines open during their normal clinic hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on family days with a reduced number of staff.
“Then we will review the data to determine if there is enough demand to keep the full clinic open or if we will reduce hours or product lines,” she said. “We will publicize any future changes regarding family days, training days and Warhawk CAF days, so expect to see full list of clinic closures published soon.”
The remaining family days for 2024 are January 12, February 16, May 24, June 20, July 5, August 30, November 8, 29 and December 26.
“Our obligation is to provide world-class care to our beneficiaries and ensuring the readiness of the 55th Wing and all of our mission partners on Team Offutt,” said Bozung, “and we will continue to do that.”
The 55th MDG encourage all patients and their families to sign up for text notifications for important updates as well as weather-related delays and closures. Text the word “medical” to 833-578-0586 to opt-in to our text messages.
The EBC also maintains a list of scheduled closures on their website at offutt.tricare.mil.