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Partner nation, total force trauma experts enhance medical services

  • Published
  • By Capt. Monique Roux
  • Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central)

Five trauma and critical care specialists representing the Ninth Air Force (Air Forces Central) Surgeon General office traveled to Amman May 8 - 12 to meet with their counterparts in the Jordanian Royal Medical Services.

The two teams of medical professionals joined as subject matter experts to exchange ideas and best practices for both countries to continue providing world-class medical care for their patients.

“There is a need for the exchange of expertise with other partner nations,” said Col. Ayman Al Qa’Qaa’, JRMS doctor and International Bureau and Private Patient Affairs office director. “It helps both countries keep updated on global medical advancements and necessary skills to offer advanced medical care.”

Over the course of the one-week visit, the U.S. and Jordanian military medical professionals discussed prehospital care, patient registry and trauma and critical care successes.

“We have a strong partnership with our U.S. friends,” said Brig. Gen. Sameer Smadi, surgeon and JRMS Trauma Department medical director. “One of the most beneficial things about our partnership is how we have been able to enhance our patient registry and expand our emergency department.”

For AFCENT, this partnership is crucial for care of U.S. military members in the surrounding region.

“This is a priority for us is because Jordan is such a close partner,” said Lt. Col. Juan Ramirez, AFCENT medical security cooperation chief. “The benefits produced in the realm of general medical care and trauma care will benefit U.S. forces in the region.”

Lt. Col. Valerie Sams is an Air Force trauma surgeon, Trauma Medical Director at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas and served as the clinical team lead for this partner nation engagement.

“We have a vested interest in this region, so it benefits the U.S. to have a partner with mature trauma system capabilities,” said Sams. “This is key to excellent combat casualty care and civilian trauma care. We believe the Jordanians can have the better care paradigm for their trauma patients.”

The diverse backgrounds of the U.S. and Jordanian medical professionals allowed the group to enhance their specialty care knowledge.

“The JRMS are very skilled surgeons so their surgical quality from the way that they are specialized to the way they are trained is amazing,” said Lt. Col. Dana Mayer, Brooke Army Medical Center trauma nurse clinician and U.S. Air Force Reservist with the 433d Airlift Wing. “They have exceptional surgical skills and are passionate about their work.”

As a critical care fellow at Walter Reed Medical Center, Lt. Cmdr. Taylor DesRosier has had the opportunity to join the AFCENT team for previous visits and recognizes the importance of this ongoing partnership.

“It’s rewarding to see that our relationship has such lasting payouts,” said DesRosier. “The enthusiasm and absolute excitement and desire for the JRMS to provide improved care, specifically for trauma patients, is infectious. With the amount of enthusiasm and support, they will continue to develop their trauma department to save warrior and civilian lives.”

Some of the JRMS best practices left a lasting impression on the AFCENT medical team.

“Their facility enhancements are impressive,” said Lt. Col. Erik DeSoucy, Brooke Army Medical Center trauma surgeon and critical care physician. “The JRMS are developing their facility in a way that gets patients from the emergency department to damage control surgery as rapidly as possible.”

The JRMS were equally appreciative of the engagement.

“Our collaboration with the American team over the past several years has contributed greatly to the expansion of our trauma services,” said Smadi. “We will keep meeting with the AFCENT/SG team virtually and in person to continue the partnership.”