DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE SOTH MEDICAL WING (AETC) JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - LACKLAND TEXAS 19 Nov 15 MEMORANDUM TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN From: 59 MDOG/SGOW, Col Sowin Re: Capt Robin Becker’ 1. Capt Robin Becker has asked that | contact you regarding ongoing proceedings potentially removing her from the USAF Residency in Clinical Psychology at the Wiford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, saSA-Lackland. Ihave known Capt Becker for approximately oe year and had frequent contact with her over the course of the 2014-2015 Academic Year in Mental Health Clinic staff meetings and weekly multiiscilinary cinical conferences where complex and high ris cass are discussed. By my estimate we had professional contact approximately 75 times over the course of the year. 3. While am not full aware ofthe allegations or thought processes that culminate recommendations by the psychology faculty that she be removed from the clinical psychology residency prior to completion, have had enough contact with her that | am reasonably familiar with her professional work and workplace demeanor. 4. As evidenced by her case presentations throughout the year is my sense that she splayed a firm command of the biopsychosocial model of psychological health and illness and of comprehensive approaches to the'care of the mental health patient. I trusted her and continue to trust her clinical work with patients 5. Along the same lines, Capt Becker was quick to volunteer (on many occasions) to provide “triage” services within ou clinic (really more so daytime on-call duties of evaluating new patients and patients suffering crises or emergencies) ~a dificult ole, but one that she performed well. In fact, ‘over the course of her last month with us, she provided these critical, high-isibilty tasks on a very frequent basis thus performing one ofthe most critical responsibilities of our large (25,000 vst per year) multi-specialty mental health clinic. 6. As she explained if to me, her removal from this program without successful completion would in a sense nulify her years of graduate work in pursuit ofa doctoral degree. Given her clinical abilities, many years of mittary service, and potential for future contributions to the mental health cae of ‘ur DoD population, this seems to be an enormous penalty with near unrecoverable adverse consequences. In 33 years’ experience asa physician, over 25 years of miltary service, and 19 years’ experience in academic medicine, | don't know that have seen a harsher recommended consequence for ajprofessiona in training 7. 1would respectfully ask that you give considerable thought to alternative possibilities, Capt Becker has valuable military service to bring tothe ight. She has completed all required inthe completion of demanding academic requirements of a doctoral degree. She has demonstrated fll mission requirements in the provision of clinical care at this facility. Her removal from this program would representa personal tragedy for her and a significant los to the future of DoD mental health care. Warrior Medics Mission Ready Patient Focused Page 47 of 1588. We do not have a surplus of providers such as Capt Becker. Instead, we are in desperate need. ‘my belief that given the chance Capt Becker will be a fully functional military psychologist. 9. Please feel free to contact me if | may be of further assistance to you as you make this decision. Respectfully submitted, ) ‘imation, mo, ws Colonel, USAF, MC, SFS Chief of Psychiatry Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology COM: 210-292-7361 Page 48 of 158,BECKER, ROBIN E Capt USAF AETC 59 MDW/SGIT From: KESSLER WALKER, DAWN E Lt Col USAF AETC 59 MDOS/SGOW Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 7:15 AM To: BECKER, ROBIN E Capt USAF AETC 59 MDW/SGIT Subject: RE: Feedback Capt Becker, Here is my statement: Capt Becker's performance while under my supervision was clinically accurate and her documentation was very efficent. She provided a great deal of assistance to the other providers in the clinic by offering them coverage for triage, etc. In the few weeks | supervised her she made the correct decisions regarding patient treatment level of care needs. She was engaged in supervision and was proactive in asking for consultation before seeing patients if needed. Unfortunately she did not have any therapy patients so | did not have the opportunity to observe her in this capacity. She was on time ‘each morning and for her patient appointments. Is that what you need? K-W Original Message- From: BECKER, ROBIN E Capt USAF AETC 59 MDW/SGIT Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2015 3:37 PM To: KESSLER WALKER, DAWN E Lt Col USAF AETC 59 MDOS/SGOW Subject: Feedback Good afternoon, Ma'am, rm wondering if you can provide me with some feedback/comments or a statement about my performance while under your supervision on MHC? Thank you, Capt Becker 1 Page 92 of 188