81st Medical Group (Keesler AFB)
The 81st Medical Group (81 MDG) operates the Keesler Medical Center, one of the largest medical facilities in the U.S. Air Force. [2, 10] Its primary mission is to maintain medical readiness for worldwide contingencies by providing high-quality, cost-effective healthcare to over 27,000 enrollees, including active-duty military personnel, retirees, and their families. [27, 7] The 81 MDG also oversees the Gulf Coast Multi-Service Market, coordinating care for approximately 80,000 eligible beneficiaries along the Gulf Coast, from Mobile, Alabama, to New Orleans, Louisiana. [7] The medical center serves as a major training and education platform, hosting several graduate medical education programs, enlisted training programs, and a clinical research laboratory. [12] Historically, the groundwork for the medical facilities at Keesler Air Force Base was laid with the activation of the station hospital in 1941. The 81st Medical Group itself was activated on July 1, 1993, to operate the base hospital, which continues to be known as Keesler Medical Center. The facility has a significant role in national disaster response, serving as a Federal Coordinating Center for the National Disaster Medical System. [9] It maintains partnerships with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and other local hospitals to ensure comprehensive care. Over the years, Keesler Medical Center has expanded its services and facilities, including the opening of a new inpatient tower in 2011 and a Radiation Oncology Center in 2010. [14] The center is also at the forefront of medical technology, being the first in the Air Force to perform robotic surgery using the da Vinci Xi robot. [10] Keesler Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of medical services, with nearly 60 different services and educational programs available. [9] It functions as a teaching hospital with residency programs in various specialties. The facility is committed to patient safety and quality of care, as evidenced by its "A" rating in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assessment for Spring 2025 and its recognition for outstanding customer service in the TRICARE Inpatient Satisfaction Survey. [27, 3] The 81st Medical Group plays a vital role in both the military healthcare system and the broader Gulf Coast community, providing a wide array of medical services and standing ready to support national and international contingencies.
Biloxi, MS
Care types: Hospital
Trust signals
- License: 25039F
- Serving families since 1993
- Accepts Medicaid
- Accepts Medicare
- Languages: English
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