In a significant development for medical care at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, nearly thirty-three patients have received treatment through the Athena program, marking the return of plastic surgery services to the airlift hub since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Athena program, which dispatches volunteer Air Force plastic surgeons to overseas bases, orchestrated the arrival of Dr. Bryan Curtis, an Air Force colonel and chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery for the 60th Surgical Operations Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. Patients from various bases across Japan, after undergoing screening, commenced their appointments with Dr. Curtis during the first week of April at Yokota Air Base.
Dr. Curtis emphasized the significance of providing these services directly to patients in their home location, underscoring the reduction in stress and burden for individuals undergoing surgical procedures. He stated, “To allow these services to occur here, in a home location for a patient, relieves a lot of burden and a lot of stress. Surgery in and of itself is a stressful time for patients, so anything we can do to alleviate that stress is beneficial.”
Among the patients benefitting from the program is Erika Mulhall, an Air Force spouse, who traveled from Misawa Air Base in northeastern Japan for an umbilicoplasty procedure. Mulhall’s journey to Yokota was facilitated by her primary care provider at Misawa, who referred her to the Athena program’s visit to Yokota.
Reflecting on her experience, Mulhall expressed relief and gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I felt really relieved, but it also felt very unreal, because it had been such a long time and it had been such a long process to get my surgery.”
The Athena program extends its services to any Tricare beneficiary in Japan, covering plastic surgeries addressing issues resulting from birth defects or physical trauma. However, cosmetic surgeries such as breast augmentations, rhinoplasties, and liposuction are not covered by Tricare and must be paid for out of pocket.
The recent mission of the Athena program to Yokota Air Base garnered significant attention, indicating a backlog of demand for such services. Major Christopher Ng, Yokota’s current general surgeon, expressed the desire to continue bringing plastic surgeons to the base through the Athena program, highlighting the importance of supporting the local community and meeting the needs of the Air Force.
As Yokota Air Base continues to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic, the return of the Athena program signifies a significant step forward in providing essential medical services to service members, retirees, and their families stationed in Japan.