Keesler hosts medical simulation symposium Published Feb. 11, 2009 By Maj. Steve Szulborski 81st Medical Group KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS -- Keesler Medical Center recently completed the first-ever Gulf Coast Regional Simulation Symposium. Medics from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Columbus AFB, Miss., Maxwell AFB, Ala., and Eglin AFB, Hurlburt AFB, Patrick AFB and MacDill AFB, Fla., attended. In addition, Biloxi's Veterans Affairs Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System and the VA's Pensacola outpatient clinic sent participants. Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Dan Wyman, 81st Medical Group commander, welcomed the participants. Col. (Dr.) Deborah Burgess, chief of Air Education and Training Command Surgeon General's medical modernization division and director of the Air Force Medical Modeling and Simulation Program gave a special briefing highlighting the future of simulation technology in the military. The symposium's primary focus was to teach and share both the technical and educational aspects of simulation training and how to integrate the technology into the mission. A secondary purpose was for Colonel Burgess and her team from AETC headquarters to inspect Keesler Medical Center's simulation lab and training techniques. Keesler officials said the staff assistance visit went extremely well, with Colonel Burgess stating the medical center's facility and training techniques are "exactly how simulation training should be conducted." The 81st MDG education and training flight plans additional training this spring and summer for in-house simulation facilitators