66 MDG welcomes new health care providers Published July 29, 2009 By Kathryne Friess 66th Medical Group HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The 66th Medical Group is pleased to announce the arrival of four new providers to Hanscom Air Force Base. The new providers include an optometrist, nurse practitioner, pediatrician and flight surgeon. Col. (Dr.) Parker Plante recently assumed command of the 66th Medical Group. The colonel is board certified in optometry and earned his doctorate of optometry from Southern California College of Optometry. Colonel Plante will be examining patients on a limited basis. Lt. Col. Melissa Wells, the new 66th Medical Operations Squadron commander, is a certified women's health nurse practitioner and graduated from Syracuse University. Colonel Wells will examine Family Practice patients on a limited basis. Capt. (Dr.) Laina Eckard is a pediatrician and the new primary care manager for all patients previously assigned to Dr. LeBlanc. Captain Eckard graduated from the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She completed her clinical training at Wright-Patterson Medical Center. Maj. (Dr.) Brendan Noone is board certified in family medicine and fully trained and credentialed in aerospace medicine. Dr. Noone graduated from Oklahoma State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Noone is our new Flight Surgeon and primary care manager for all patients previously assigned to Dr. Jones. For more information call (781) 377-4021 or e-mail Kathryne.Friess@hanscom.af.mil.