The BSC is made up of 15 wide-ranging specialties of medical and technical experts who provide medical support to Team Eglin and nearby military installations. BSC encompasses bachelor to doctorate level education requirements specific to each medical field from social to natural sciences.  

"In some areas of direct patient care, we fill the gaps where medical and nurse corps specialties aren't available," said Lt. Col. Christopher Cutler, 96th Medical Group BSC advisor and bioenvironmental engineering flight commander.  “In other areas, we are the link between the patient and their environment, whether in their food, water, work centers, or the aircraft they fly.  The BSC specialties work individually and together to ensure the Air Force Medical Service can provide trusted care, anytime, anywhere."

The 96th MDG employs 13 of the BSC specialties including physical therapy, optometry, audiology, pharmacy and occupational therapy to name a few.

An integration of these elements provides a complete and holistic, mind and body approach to medical treatment.  Their main mission is to support active duty patients here and in the deployment theater, and to work closely with command leadership to ensure troops are fit for duty according to Capt. Laurence Pass, 96th MDG psychologist.

The capabilities of the BSC range from specialty medical care for active duty members to care for their dependents and retirees, the execution of air evacuations, and emergency response plans for chemical, biological, radiological, environmental and nuclear assaults.

The BSC will host a 5k fun run/walk at the Civil Engineer Pavilion here Feb. 11 at 8 a.m. For information, call 883-8374. Signups are required.