BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- National Doctor’s Day is observed annually on March 30, and shows appreciation to doctors for their contributions to wellness of society. Its first observance was in 1933, however it was not officially recognized until it was signed as a proclamation by former President George H. W. Bush in 1990.
The doctors at the 460th Medical Group at Buckley AFB work hard throughout the week to ensure they are filling the needs of patients. From service members and their families to veterans, schedules are packed tightly.
Capt. (Dr.) Ryan Frank, 460th MDG Doctor of Osteopath, starts his day early in the morning to get a head start looking at labs and charts to make sure patients have their medications refilled, and organizes notes before patients get there. Once they begin to trickle in, the workflow is steady and there isn’t much time to stop.
Frank is with patients for basically the entire day, and when he is not, he is catching up on labs and preparing paperwork for his next appointments. At the end of the day, the team gets together for a huddle to discuss the day, and prepare for the next one to begin, he added.
“I can’t imagine being in a different field,” said Frank. “It’s a grind from time-to-time, but I love being a physician. I love being able to help patients, do what’s best for them and be there for them in their times of need.”
He added that medicine in the Air Force plays a crucial role, because members need to be healthy to perform their jobs.
“We need to be able to keep our guys and gals healthy so that they can do their job at 110 percent,” said Frank. “Health and readiness affects everything down the line. We are the support for them.”
Airman 1st Class Devante Wise, 460th MDG aerospace medical technician, works closely with Frank and sees first-hand, the difference he makes in people’s lives every day.
“The way he handles patient care is upfront,” said Wise. “He’ll tell the patients what they need to hear to truly help them get better or get to where they need to be.”
Wise added that he has an appreciation for Frank, not only for what he does for patients but also for his extra involvement in ensuring the technicians have chances to learn.
“The doctors have a more hands-on approach with people’s lives,” said Wise. “They can see things that the technicians cannot and they help make things better for patients who come in.”
Frank emphasized his passion for what he does because of his everyday interactions.
“I became a family physician because I enjoy people, the relationships, the conversations and getting to help them in the best way,” said Frank. “So, for me, the moments are on the level of taking care of people when they’re dealing with depression and trying to get them to a point where they are not there anymore and they’re doing well. We want to be there for our Airmen and their families.”
The work that the doctors of the 460th MDG performs is appreciated by the clinic staff and the patients that come in.
“They make differences in people’s lives by helping them figure out what’s going on and what’s going to get them better,” said Wise.
Doctors are crucial to the Air Force mission, they are the backbone to the health of Airmen and families, as well as veterans, which is why this day is observed every year.