Under the Pacific Air Forces, the 673d Medical Group at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson provides healthcare for more than 34,000 women. At this epicenter of medical services is a first-of-its-kind clinic specifically designed to educate, treat and improve the lives of these women.
From active duty to dependents and beyond, the JBER Women’s Mid-Life Optimization Direct Access Clinic is a first for the U.S. Air Force. It is also the first women’s midlife clinic in the Department of War that offers a face-to-face group model and direct-access services.
“It started with [Jean Walker and I],” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Kaitlyn Bathold, 673d Surgical Operations Squadron certified nurse midwife and advanced practice nurse practitioner. “This wasn’t something that we were told to do. This is something we are passionate about and we're going to do.”
The self-referral clinic is located within the Women’s Health Center. Pioneered by a team of active-duty and civilian personnel, the clinic specializes in the care of women in their midlife years. Patients attend classes to learn more on how their physical and mental state change through midlife and receive specialized testing and treatment to help optimize overall health and longevity.
“Our active-duty females, our spouses, VA beneficiaries and anyone who has access to the hospital can self-refer,” said Bathold. “We can help them through any challenges that they might have as they’re going through that part of their lives.”
Jean Walker, 673d SGCG advanced practice registered nurse and women’s health nurse practitioner added, “I know how hard it can be to feel like something is wrong and be told that it’s normal.”
Patients start the process by calling or going to the Women’s Health Center. They are then screened by the nurses to identify if the clinic would be the best route for them to take or if a different resource would be better. Once identified as an applicable candidate, they are scheduled for a group class to learn more about their midlife years and ask questions.
The class discusses hormones like estrogenAny of a group of steroid hormones which promote the development and maintenance of female characteristics of the body. Such hormones are also used in oral contraceptives or menopausal hormone therapies.estrogen, testosterone and progesterone and how they affect the body, and patients learn how hormone therapy can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, increase bone strength and more.
“The National menopauseA normal natural event defined by a women’s final menstrual period and confirmed after 12 months of no menstrual bleeding with no other cause.Menopause Society recommends women start screening for menopause around their mid-30s,” said Bathold. “Symptoms of perimenopauseAlso referred to as the menopause transition, the time frame “around menopause”. It can begin several years before menopause and ends when menopause is reached (after 12 months of no menstrual bleeding).perimenopause can last up to 10 years, so this clinic focuses on that group starting perimenopause and in menopause."
Patients are also scheduled to have a panel of 14 different lab tests to gain a better understanding of their current physiological state. This is followed by a one-on-one session with a provider to go over next steps and treatment options like hormone therapy.
“Our desired outcome is to optimize patients, provide them with longevity and to help them better their lives,” said Bathold. “We’re not just impacting the member or the spouse, but the whole family unit.”
The clinic also helps educate providers in related fields to improve their care for midlife women. The goal is to have a seamless transition from the clinic to the patient’s primary care manager.
The WoMODA model also ties into recent executive actions from the Oval Office. Signed into effect on Oct. 19, Advancing Women’s Health to Improve Outcomes in All Phases of Life directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish a new Women’s Health Division within the National Institutes of Health.Led by first lady Melania Trump, the executive order focuses on strengthening research and improving health for women and girls. This builds on previous improvements for women’s care from 2025. With specific menopausal treatment and pharmaceutical improvements, the WoMODA clinic is poised to be on the frontier of women’s midlife healthcare.
The clinic has also been designed so it can be scaled and replicated. This allows the benefits of the clinic to potentially be projected beyond the Indo-Pacific, becoming a global asset.
“It’s estimated that this model could be capable of recapturing 136,000 annual patients,” said Bathold. “The potential for growth, coverage and impact is great.”
The clinic is in the Women’s Health Center at JBER hospital. It is located on the first floor in the Moose Area near the Emergency Room. Patients can visit in-person to speak with staff or call 907-580-5808 to begin screening. Once patients are established with the clinic, communications will continue through the Genesis Patient Portal.
“I encourage women to reach out to us, to take a complete assessment of their health so hopefully we can help them feel better,” said Walker.