By Staff Sgt. Austin Knox Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

The 87th Medical Group has partnered with the Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Cooper University Health Care to create the Primary Care Partnership Clinic, located in Browns Mills, to improve the access-to-care standard for their patients.

“This Partnership Clinic was made possible by the tremendous relationship that exists between Joint Base MDL and the surrounding community,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Bridget Gill, 87th MDG commander. “There are business practices in place that permit things like this to happen, but it’s the partnerships and relationships formed between people and communities that make this an actual reality.”

Due to an industry-wide health care provider shortage, the wait time for patients has become extended. The community partnership has become the solution for the 87th MDG and Joint Base MDL.

“Although the Defense Health Agency provides us the option to refer patients off base if we can’t meet needs, it’s often not the most beneficial path for the patient,” said Gill. “What makes this clinic unique is the fact that the partnered organizations have pulled their resources together, such as providers and health records, into one seamless location for the patient. If we were dispersing patient care throughout the community, that would not be the case.”

The creation of the Primary Care Partnership Clinic is a result of the 87th MDG’s commitment to operational readiness, outstanding customer service, and to deliver world-class health care.

“We are able to alleviate some of the patient volume on the joint base by providing care to military dependents and retirees,” said Christine Carlson-Glazer, Deborah Heart and Lung Center government and community relations vice president. “We will continue the partnership indefinitely, as long as the need exists, so that the active duty can continue the mission on base.”

This article originally appeared here.