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McChord nurse consults Air Force top doc

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Desiree Kiliz
  • 446th Airlift Wing
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  An Air Force reservist here serves as the chief flight nurse consultant to the Air Force surgeon general.

Maj. Carolyn "C.J." Newhouse, 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, is the first and only reservist to hold this position.

This is a three-year appointed position open to all flight nurses across all Air Force major commands, providing an opportunity to work with dynamic people, said Major Newhouse.

Applicants had to meet a number of qualifications and be nominated by their commander. Col. Jan Moore-Harbert, 446th AES commander, said she nominated Major Newhouse based on her experience both on and off the field.

"She has a history of recent deployments and great experience on the clinical side of the house," said Colonel Moore-Harbert.

As a chief consultant, Major Newhouse is the ambassador in her field for the surgeon general. Consultants must look at problems and new scenarios that arise while they are in the field and create ideas for better patient care to present to the surgeon general.

"If I can touch base with units, they can give me input and I can give those ideas to Lt. Gen. (Dr. James) Roudebush and that will (improve) patient care," said Major Newhouse. "It also lets nurses know there is someone they can present their suggestions and problems to."

In addition to training and patient care, consultants assist in recruiting and retention for the aeromedical evacuation field. In 2006, Air Force flight nurses were 60 percent undermanned.

There are only four active-duty aeromedical evacuation squadrons in the Air Force, which leaves reservists performing the bulk of aeromedical evacuation mission.

"It is real important we have the right person to give the input to the surgeon general, and Major Newhouse can provide that," Colonel Moore-Harbert said. "She listens to what her peers have to say and has all the experience for the position." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)