Medical group capitalizes on total force cohesion

Published Feb. 21, 2008
By 2nd Lt. Tania Bryan
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Military servicemembers wounded in combat deserve the best healthcare available. When it comes to providing top-notch medical support, the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group relies on a total force team of medical experts to get the job done.

"When soldiers suffer injuries that have a relatively fast recovery period, they are sent here to be treated and given time to recuperate," said Lt. Col. Michele Gavin, the 379th EMDG primary care clinic element chief on her third deployment to Southwest Asia. "We have a very cohesive unit, which enables us to return them [the wounded] to the frontlines quickly."

On her fourth deployment in as many years, Colonel Gavin is a seasoned veteran, having served in the Army Reserve and Air National Guard for more than 26 years. Whether working as a guard member or in her civilian position at the Cleveland Clinic, "my job is to practice medicine," said the physician's assistant deployed from the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo, Ohio.

"Ten to 15 percent of the group is guard or reserve," said Col. Michael Menning, 379th EMDG commander. One of the biggest benefits to having a total force team is the fact that many of the guardsmen and reservists have deployed before, he said. It provides stability and corporate knowledge on how things work here.

"Whether active duty, guard or reserve we are all medical professionals. By coming together we are able to learn from each other," said Capt. Christine Yarbrough, a pharmacist deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. "Bringing their experiences gained in the civilian sector, the guard and reserve offer a fresh set of eyes to what we do here."

The learning happens not only as a result of military and civilian comparisons, but also based on the size of the hospital or clinic from which members hail. There are various resources available based on the size of the facility, said Capt. Dion Vecchio, 379th EMDG intensive care unit and ward element chief. "Different perspectives on different capabilities allow us to use our resources here wisely."

A self-proclaimed "Guard bum," Staff Sgt. Trisha Myers' diverse background certainly offers a unique perspective. A Michigan native and medical technician, she has spent a total of 18 years as a member of the active duty Air Force as well as the Army and Air National Guards in mixed lengths.

"I've been given a variety of opportunities to serve [my country] over the years, but my passion is patient care," Sergeant Myers said. "Working with the Wounded Warrior program here is very rewarding. I do whatever I can to make the patients more comfortable; from giving them a popsicle to telling them a joke." She says it's the simple things that brighten their days.

"You never know what [type of patient] will walk through the door next. We see a lot of patients, with many different complaints," said Colonel Gavin. She says the makeup of the group helps combat that challenge. "The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve [members] mixed with active duty Air Force gives us a wide variety, as well as many years of medical experience to care for the population here."

The active duty, guard and reserve total force team that makes up the 379th EMDG helps heal the wounded and continues to make an impression on those they care for.

"We have a small footprint in terms of personnel [numbers], but overall we make a mammoth impact," Colonel Menning said.