Elevating experience - Medics get hands-on training at AF Academy

Published June 16, 2006
By Mrs. Betty Stephens
917th Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Sixteen members of the 917th Medical Squadron here reached new career heights this spring when they trained at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Working at an elevation of more than 7,000 feet above sea level, they integrated with members of the academy's 10th Medical Group to provide combat, contingency and community health care to war fighters and their families - past, present and future.

"Annual tour is where you get to do actual hands-on training," said Maj. Beverly Lewis, 917th MDS clinical nurse. "When you actually work with patient care, you get out there and do all you can to help make somebody feel better."

Real-hands on training came sooner than expected in the two weeks of training May 27 to June 10. Two days into their tour of duty, the Air Force Reserve Command medics attended the academy graduation of 879 cadets May 30, where they came to the aid of a visitor who had fallen ill to the effects of the high altitude.

"Seeing the fruits of your labor is so rewarding," Major Lewis said.

The nurses rotated on a weekly basis to help in the multi-services clinic on the third floor and in the emergency room, both areas that demand much patient care.

On one particular morning, nearly all beds were full in the emergency room, according to Major Lewis, with everyone working "for the common cause."

"A couple of our emergency patients had to be stabilized and medically evacuated," Major Lewis said. "One had a possible myocardium infarction (heart attack). He was transported to a downtown hospital to be treated by a cardiologist."

The other was sent to a hospital in Denver, where the hospital was better equipped for additional neurology care for his condition, Major Lewis said.

"Working to get him stable was so challenging," she said. "Multi-disciplinary teams worked together - respiratory, laboratory, x-ray, emergency room nurses, technicians, and us - all having a positive impact. We saw the compassion of our teammates that you only get to see in a patient-care setting. The cohesiveness is wonderful. If you love nursing, you would love this."

In addition to the extensive hands-on training, the 917th MDS staff accomplished two other mission-essential tasks - updating training records and taking the physical fitness test.

"Personnel in the medical group from the 917th Wing are wonderful people," said Dr. Charles Anderson, physician in charge of the emergency room at the academy. "They were needed and very helpful with the patients here in the hospital." (AFRC News Service)