Air Force Reserve, civilian medical people build bridge

Published Sept. 7, 2007
By Airman Viola Hernandez
433rd Airlift Wing

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- It is possible to mix the best of both worlds in medicine. Patients in San Antonio's Southwest General Hospital know that.

A new program has 46 Air Force reservists from the 433rd Airlift Wing's medical squadron at Lackland completing their annual 15-day training periods working with civilian providers at Southwest General Hospital.

The medical professionals represented a variety of specialties - medical technicians, ward nurses, physical therapists, radiology, laboratory technicians and operating room technicians and nurses. Each Air Force Reserve Command provider teamed with a civilian counterpart to work side-by-side on a daily basis throughout their annual tour.

Unofficially known as the "bridge," the training program is the first of its kind in the area and benefits the hospital as well as the reservists.

"It has been a true gift for the 433rd to team with us," said Pamela Flentge, chief nursing officer at the hospital. "The additional help of already credentialed staff is appreciated."

Bridging military medical care with civilian care allows patients and providers to experience and see the kind of care family and friends in the military receive, according to Col. (Dr.) Rene G. Jaso, 433rd Medical Squadron commander and a surgeon at the hospital.

"Each patient here has stated that they are so honored to have been cared for by the 433rd staff," Ms. Flengte said.

"Dedication and kindness demonstrated by the 433rd staff, is greatly appreciated," said Carmen Uriegas, a patient at Southwest General.

Maj. Janet Wickline was one of the Air Force Reserve nurses caring for Ms. Uriegas.

"Major Wickline is a wonderful lady. I love her," said Ms. Uriegas as the major checked on her and her intravenous site. "She's so helpful. I think it's so great to have the military here."

The reservists received a new sense of community, according to Lt. Col. Pamela Scott, 433rd MDS chief nurse and team chief for the group.

"Besides meeting the mission of the tour, which was the ability to provide patient care and meet individual goals related to that experience, I believe each team member brought a sense of community away from the experience," said Colonel Scott. "This tour, unlike any other tours, gave us the opportunity to get to know the community and allow the community to get to know us and what we do. This being said, I believe we each feel a great sense of pride gained from a very rewarding experience."

The patient-caregiver relationship wasn't the only thing strengthened during the annual tour.

"I believe the other providers feel that we delivered high-quality care," said Colonel Scott. "The team pitched in from the start, whether working with patient assignments, assisting where needed, teaching advanced courses or on the spot training."

The civilian providers were pleased with the reservists' effort.

"It is my understanding that the other providers very quickly gained trust in our abilities due to our diverse backgrounds and what they saw in our team on a daily basis," said Colonel Scott. "I believe being invited back by Southwest General for another annual tour says it all." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)