Evaluating

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras - Dr. Ricardo Aviles, a Medical Officer at the Medical Element, and Capt. Tyler Grunewald, the deputy director of MEDEL operations setion, speak with a community member about the COPECO exercise here last month. Joint Task Force-Bravo, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, sent members of the Central America Survey Assessment Team to serve as evaluators during a two-day Foreign Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief preparedness exercise in the San Pedro Sula valley last month. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Candice Allen)

AFDW medic part of healthcare effort in South America

Published March 5, 2012
By Staff Sgt. Bryan Franks
Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs

BELLA VISTA, Belize -- An Air Force District of Washington Airman was part of a 46-member team who provided medical care to approximately 620 Bella Vista community members Feb. 28 during a joint medical readiness training exercise here.

Capt. Tyler Grunewald, currently deployed to Joint Task Force-Bravo, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, as the medical element's operations section deputy director, is from the 779th Medical Group medical support squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Md.

Members of the Joint MEDRETE included Belizean Ministry of Health, the Belizean military and JTF-Bravo. The medical professionals treated illnesses including abdominal pain, respiratory infection, skin infection, diabetes and high blood pressure.

All patients receive a preventive medical briefing from a member of the Belizean military, as well as vitamins, inoculations and preventive health supplies before heading to the screening area to care for patients. Many of these patients receive very little, if any, professional healthcare in their lifetimes.

As part of the screening team, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jefflynn Hall, medical technician, is on her first MEDRETE and finds the experience both rewarding and challenging.

"I like to help people and especially those who are in need...for me that's the rewarding part of this mission," said Hall, who is deployed from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. "However, the challenge is not being able to do more while we are here...we can only bring so much when we travel and it never feels like enough."

Once a patient receives his or her brief, they are seen by a nurse or medical technician for a health assessment. Once the screeners are done, the patient sees the medical care provider to receive treatment or a prescription they can have filled at the pharmacy.

On a MEDRETE, most members work in their assigned profession; however, for U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Atkins, medical element radiology NCOIC, also on his first MEDRETE, that is not the case as he finds himself working in the pharmacy.

"It's a little difficult to bring an x-ray machine on a MEDRETE, but I feel just being here doing what I can is making a difference," said Atkins, who is also deployed from Columbus AFB, Miss. "We take a lot for granted (in the U.S.), I've seen pictures from previous MEDRETES, but I'm just amazed at how resilient these people are."

In 2011, Joint Task Force Bravo, Soto Cano AB provided general medical care to 14,401 patients and dental care to 1,061 patients for a total of 15,462 individuals receiving much-needed assistance.