Reserve medics launch new program, increases readiness

On Sept. 5, 2025, the 512th Aerospace Medicine Squadron launched a new program, offering reservists medical appointments on Fridays prior to unit training assemblies.

The primary focus of the extra appointments is to help reservists maintain their individual medical readiness and free up time for medical providers over the unit training assembly, said Master Sgt. John Wesner, 512th AMDS physical exams manager.

"We started small with five patients, and we hope to ramp it up to 10-15 patients in the future," he said. "It's still a work in progress, but we learned a lot. I'm excited to continue doing this in the future."

Wesner added the new process provides flexibility for both patients and the reserve medical staff.

The new program required communication and coordination with the reservists' mission partners, the 436th Medical Group. On Sept. 4, leadership from both units did a walkthrough of affected areas to ensure there were no conflicts.

Lt. Col. Christopher Segura, 436th MDG deputy chief medical officer, said he has been working with the 512th AMDS for eight years, and he was happy to assist and work out the kinks beforehand.

"The Friday appointments make a lot of sense, and it's important we work together and continue to build our strong partnership," he said. "They're an excellent mission partner. Anytime there's been any concerns, they've been ironed out very quickly."

Wesner said there was a concerted effort to ensure the appointments don't hinder the mission of their active-duty counterparts but assist them with their patients as well by providing extra personnel in select clinic areas.

"Space availability was a big focus," he said. "We don't want to get in their way and impede their mission, but we also want to make sure everyone has a spot to work from."

Wesner said he felt like the program is off to a good start, and he thinks the program's strength is the flexibility it provides for everyone.

"Some reservists are here during the week, and anybody that is seen on the Friday prior to the UTA frees up time on the weekend," he said. "Every extra minute that we're not seeing patients during drill can be used for training and getting our other requirements done."