Biomedical Sciences Corps celebrates 50th anniversary Published Jan. 21, 2015 By Capt. Sheontee Frank 81st Medical Group KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Air Force recognized the achievements of the men and women who comprise the Biomedical Sciences Corps by designating Jan. 26- Jan. 30 as BSC Appreciation Week. This year is noteworthy as it marks the 50th anniversary of the BSC. The BSC's roots date back to 1917, when the Sanitary Corps was established to combat infectious diseases. The Army Medical Administrative Corps followed three years later. In 1949, the Air Force Medical Service was officially established. The Air Force Medical Service continued to expand over the next two decades and in 1965, the BSC was born. Over the past 50 years, the BSC continued to expand its range of personnel to include a wide variety of medically-trained professionals. To date, the BSC's mission is to enhance Air Force combat capability and effectiveness by providing world-class customer service and scientific expertise, resulting in peak force performance, productivity and quality healthcare to our beneficiary population. Comprised of 15 primary specialty codes, the BSC is the most diverse corps in the Air Force Medical Service. Capitalizing on their range of expertise, the BSC motto is: United in the Mission. With 2,400 officers, supported by 5,800 enlisted members in parallel career fields, BSC members can be found at 81 locations around the world and also in multiple settings. The BSC encompasses physical therapy, optometry, podiatry, physician assistants, audiology, speech pathology, clinical psychology, clinical social work, occupational therapy, aerospace and operational physiology, dietetics, bioenvironmental engineers, public health, medical entomology, pharmacy, biomedical laboratory, healthcare facilities architects/engineers and health & medical physics. In addition to specialty roles within our medical treatment facilities, BSC officers are embedded within operational units, serve at every level of medical command, and lead on staffs of the major commands, forward operating agencies and Headquarters Air Force. Additionally, the BSC is heavily invested in research and a host of other vital roles to meet the demands of the Air Force mission. Please join the Air Force in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the BSC by recognizing the contributions of these outstanding men and women who dedicate their lives to improving health, maximizing performance, and providing trusted medical care to support our most vital resource, our Airmen. Keesler's Biomedical Sciences Corps will be celebrating the 50th anniversary by hosting various activities throughout the week: Jan. 24: "BSC Give Back" Campaign at the Gulf Coast Food Bank in Theodore, AL at 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Jan. 26: BSC all-call/ice cream social in the Don Wylie Auditorium at 3:30-5 p.m. Jan. 27: Chief's Panel/BSC Scavenger Hunt. The Chief's panel will be in the Don Wylie Auditorium from 3-4 p.m., and will feature Chief Master Sgt. Susan Andersen of 81stMedical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Squadron, Chief Master Sgt. Margaret Cooper of 81st Medical Support Squadron, Chief Master Sgt. Paula Eischen of 81st MDTS, and Chief Master Sgt. Lisbeth Farnum of 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron. The scavenger hunt will be held in the medical group. Jan. 28: Bowling Tournament at the Gaude Bowling Alley from 3-5 p.m. Jan. 29: BSC Lunch at the Bay Breeze Event Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. For more information regarding these events, contact Capt. Sheontee Frank or Tech. Sgt. Amy French at 228-376-0385.