Elevating training: Medics get hands-on training at Air Force Academy

  • Published
  • By Mrs. Betty Stephens
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La --  Sixteen members of the 917th Medical Squadron reached new heights in their careers recently while deployed to the Air Force Academy’s 10th Medical Group, Colorado Springs, Colo. 

At an elevation of over 7,000 feet above sea level, they integrated with members of the 10 MDG 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, 917 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.” 

Training came sooner than expected—two days into their tour—when the 917 MDS team attended the Academy graduation of 879 cadets May 30, where they assisted a visitor who fell ill due to 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 infraction. He was transported to a downtown hospital to be treated by a cardiologist.” 

The other was sent to a hospital in Denver, where they are 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 917 MDS received, two other mission-essential tasks were accomplished: updating training records and taking the physical fitness test. 

“Personnel in the Medical Group from the 917th Wing are wonderful people,” aid 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.”