08/06/2025
āļøIntroducing: Between the Chartsāļø
Behind every chart, every task, and every patient interaction is a real person, a dedicated team member who helps make our mission possible every day. Between the Charts is our way to spotlight the incredible individuals who work behind the scenes.
BETWEEN THE CHARTS
Get to know your Altus AFB Medical Group Team
Primary Care Office Manager/GPM Assistant
Tracy Friedt
Can you tell us a little about your role here at the 97th MDG?
I like to think of myself as the behind-the-scenes engine that keeps Primary Care running smoothly. From managing schedules and paperwork to ensuring patients have timely access to care, Iām constantly juggling a variety of tasks, constantly troubleshooting on the fly! I also train incoming staff and oversee several command driven programs that help keep our team aligned and mission-ready. We serve a population of over 11,000 beneficiaries, and whether itās appointments, medication questions, or simply offering a calming presence on a stressful day, I aim to meet every patient where they are. My biggest goal? That each person leaves feeling a little better than when they came in. I pour my heart into what I do, and Iām proud to be part of a team that makes a real difference, one patient at a time!
What brought you to Altus, and what has been your favorite part about working here so far?
Iām originally from Alamogordo, New Mexico, home of Holloman AFB, so the Air Force has always been a part of my story. I married into the military, and my husband was stationed here in Altus working with the C-5. When the flight line transitioned to civilian, after retirement, we moved back to New Mexico, but with his specialized experience, I said, āWhy not give Altus another shot?ā So in 2000, he submitted his paperwork, and here we are, 21 years later, still loving it! Before this, I spent 20 years as a histologist, but I knew I wasnāt done working. I used to say that landing a job at Altus AFB would be like hitting the lottery, and when this position opened up, I felt incredibly blessed to be chosen. The absolute best part of working here is the people, our patients are amazing, and I truly love supporting and watching our young Airmen grow and thrive. And my coworkers? They're like family. Sometimes they know my name before I even learn theirs! It's such a kind, supportive environment. I honestly couldnāt ask for a better place to be.
Whatās one thing you wish people knew or understood better about your job?
Thatās such a great question! One thing I really wish people understood is that while we truly want to give you the world, and we really do, we have to work within a lot of policies and procedures, like HIPAA and other regulations. Weāre not just being sticklers for the rules; weāre protecting your privacy and making sure everything flows safely and smoothly for everyone. Itās like a domino effect: the moment you check in at the front desk, a whole timeline kicks off behind the scenes. Thatās why arriving just 10 minutes early is such a game-changer, itās time you get to keep with your care team, not time lost in the shuffle. Unfortunately, we canāt bend the rules, even when weād love to make magic happen. Every minute matters, and your appointment window includes everything from check-in to check-out. So a little early bird energy really does go a long way!
Whatās something fun or unexpected about you that others might not know?
Something people might not expect about me, I love mud runs! I'm definitely more of a tomboy at heart. Every year, I make it a point to dive into at least one good, messy mud run, it's my kind of fun! I'm also big into CrossFit, and Iāve got a mountain bike that I absolutely love hitting the trails with. As well as I also enjoy curling up and reading a good book every now and then.
