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Sheppard graduates last HSMA course

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The last Health Services Management Apprentice course students graduated Aug. 17, signifying the end of the course's era at Sheppard AFB.

The 882nd Training Group's HSMA course is moving to the Medical Enlisted Training Campus at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Sheppard trained more than 20,000 students since the course moved from Gunter Air Force Base, Ala., to Sheppard AFB in 1966.

Being the last class to graduate the Sheppard HSMA course was a title that Class 100625 considered a badge of honor.

"Not many people are afforded the opportunity to be a part of history," said Airman 1st Class Desiree Peoples, HSMA course graduate. "Through countless photos and quite a bit of bragging to fellow Airmen, we have made it known that we are the last HSMA class at Sheppard. We have felt a strong sense of pride and have tried our best to uphold a positive image for the Health Services Management team.

"I feel as though the confidence and pride that comes with being in this class will motivate me throughout my Air Force career," she added.

The instructors also appreciated being a part of the 4A0X1 milestone.

"All of the HSMA instructors are very excited to have been the last ones to teach at Sheppard," said Tech. Sgt. Scarlett Woolard, HSMA course instructor supervisor. "It is history, and we are all closing one chapter and starting a new beginning. We feel very honored to have been able to share our stories and teaching styles with the last 4A0 class."

In addition to celebrating the last HSMA graduation through ceremony and a luncheon, the course personnel recognized the level of change that was coming to the course and its curriculum.

"The move will have a huge impact on the course curriculum," said Staff Sgt. Steven Cooper, HSMA instructor. "For the first time in the history of our career field, we will be teaching with Army students and Army instructors."

The relocation to METC changes the course into a joint-service learning environment, beyond just being physically co-located.

"This course, like other medical courses, is partnering with the Army," said Lt. Col. Dawn Rowe, Healthcare Support Training Flight commander. "Approximately two-thirds of the curriculum will be taught jointly and the remaining one-third will be Air Force or Army specific."

Colonel Rowe said the move to San Antonio will provide a focus shift to an Army and Air Force partnership, which provides significant benefits given the frequency of Air Force deployments with the Army and consolidated healthcare organizations such as the new, tri-service staffed medical centers standing up in San Antonio, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

As the HSMA training mission moves to the next phase of its history, the students of Class 100625 prepare to enter the active-duty Air Force and perform the duties which they were trained for at Sheppard.

"This job must be done and it must be done well," Airman Peoples said. "I feel as though this is a huge responsibility and I cannot wait to accept the challenge."