Warrior Care Month observance Published Nov. 3, 2009 By 81 st Medical Group 81st Medical Group KEESLER AFB, Miss -- Keesler has planned several events during November as part of its Warrior Care Month observance. Friday -- 7 a.m., several wounded warriors are taking a deep-sea fishing trip on Keesler Dolphin II courtesy of the 81st Mission Support Group's Services Division. Nov. 14 -- 7-11 a.m., Warrior Walk on the Ocean Springs/Biloxi Bridge to benefit the Disabled American Veterans Chapter of South Mississippi programs for local Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom veterans; sign-up tents available on both ends of the bridge. For more information, call Daniel Ransom, 376-3076 or 365-7377, or Staff Sgt. Erick Majano, 376-5112 or 229-6669. Nov. 19 -- warrior outreach day, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Keesler Medical Center Auditorium. Numerous agencies that provide assistance to wounded, injured or ill service members and their families are participating. Keesler, in conjunction with Department of Defense components, is striving to inform all wounded warriors and their families about the programs and services Keesler has to offer. About 575 wounded airmen and their families Air Force-wide are being supported under the umbrella of the Air Force's Warrior and Survivor Care Program. Keesler Medical Center's commitment to provide the best services to all wounded military members throughout their recovery and reintegration process is a major way to honor wounded military members. Supporting this program is a team effort involving the entire medical community. Donna Anderson, 81st Medical Group active duty wounded warrior care coordinator, coordinates with medical providers, other medical treatment facilities, the civilian network, Tricare, recovery care coordinator and the military members' units to develop a concise treatment plan that fits the individual medical needs of each wounded warrior. In August, Keesler became one of only 10 bases Air Force-wide to receive a recovery care coordinator. Daniel Ransom, the 81st Medical Group's recovery care coordinator, manages all non-medical care coordination, working closely with all components of the base and community to ensure wounded, injured or ill service members and their families receive all medical and non-medical care they deserve. For Keesler Medical Center, care coordination starts the moment Keesler is notified a wounded warrior is scheduled to be aeromedically evacuated here from the area of responsibility. Before the wounded warrior actually arrives, the coordination team has already made their medical appointments and arranged lodging, expediting their evaluation and treatment. Ms. Anderson said, "Keesler is proud to provide the highest quality of care to all our service members and disabled veterans using resources such as Palace HART, military and family support consultants, the airman and family readiness center and transition service officer." The medical center offers a variety of medical services to wounded warriors, including orthopedics, mental health screening for post-traumatic stress disorder, neurology, physical therapy, surgery, ophthalmology, urology and ear, nose and throat care. Also, the medical center established a memorandum of understanding with the community-based warrior transition unit at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., to allow Army Staff Sgt. Erick Majano to serve as the Army liaison to assist soldiers with their appointments, obtaining necessary Army forms and non-medical requests.