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Dover reservists treat patients in Dominican Republic

  • Published
  • By Capt. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Thirty-nine Air Force Reserve medics with the 512th Aerospace Medicine Squadron here left July 10 for the Caribbean to participate in a Medical Readiness Training Exercise that lasts until July 24.

Known as MEDRETE 2010 Dominican Republic, the 512th Airlift Wing Airmen, as well as other reservists from around the country, are working with a team of doctors from the Dominican military to provide free medical care to the citizens of Constanza.

The training is an opportunity for the reservists to gain real-world, hands-on experience. Some of the reservists have never deployed.

"I'm in this career field because I want to make a difference in people's lives, and I'm sure it will be very fulfilling to help those less fortunate and underserved" said Senior Master Sgt. Sean Dial, 512th AMDS. "To go on this mission and be able to provide care to the people of the Dominican Republic means a lot to me."

The medical care team consists of family medicine, optometry, dental services, pediatrics and women's health providers. They anticipate seeing more than 700 patients daily.

The training will also give the medical care specialists a chance to interact with foreign national health care providers and to treat tropical diseases typically not seen in the United States.