4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

Story by Sgt. Bryce Dubee

BAGHDAD – The exchange of information regarding the latest medical studies and procedures are commonplace throughout the worldwide medical community, however after years of conflict and instability in Iraq, many Iraqi medical professionals have been left out of the information loop.

To help Iraqi doctors learn some of the latest medical, U.S. medical Soldiers from the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division organized an alliance between U.S. military doctors and local Iraqi hospitals.

"Our goal is to meet with the hospitals monthly," explained Capt. Gabriela Niess, a native of Davis, Calif., the brigade's medical planner.

Currently the brigade meets with two hospitals, one in Abu Ghraib and one in Yarmouk, in western Baghdad, with plans to add more hospitals to the exchange in the future.

The hospitals request the topics to be covered and brigade personnel work to coordinate the appropriate subject matter experts and arrange a time, transportation and security.

"There's a huge payoff with minimal effort and cost," explained Sgt. 1st Class David Crowley, from the 422 Civil Affairs Battalion.

Physicians Lt. Col. Chris Soltis, with the 702nd Brigade Support Battalion, and Maj. Fred Schlorke, with the 414th Civil Affairs Battalion, gave lectures to medical professionals at the Abu Ghraib hospital; Soltis discussing atopic dermatitis, a skin condition affecting children, and Schlorke lecturing on H1N1 influenza virus.

"I thought there was good interest in the topic," said Schlorke, a Wakarusa, Ind., native. "They were willing to listen and learn from our experience."

H1N1 has become a topic of serious concern among Iraqis recently as there has been an increase of infections within the country. However Schlorke focused on the reality of the virus, explaining prevention measures and how the illness is spread.

"There is some risk (from H1N1), but let's focus on perspective," he said, adding that many tend to forget that 36,000 Americans die each year from the regular seasonal flu.

Crowley said that like any other medical professional, the Iraqi doctors want to exchange information and knowledge.

"A lot of this information is very new to them," said the Richmond, Va. native.

For the Iraqis in attendance, many said they came away with new information, and that they are looking forward to future lesions.

"They answered all of our questions we asked," said Intzar Ali Kazam, a clinical pharmacist. "It was a very good open forum discussion.

Hospital director, Dr. Najah, said that he's glad that his staff is able to get updates of information from fellow doctors from the U.S.

"This will help us build new camaraderie in the medical field," he said.

Both of the U.S. doctors who presented said they also enjoyed the experience, and would gladly return.

"I've given a lot of lectures and briefings," joked Schlorke, pointing to his M9 pistol. "But this was the first one I've ever done packing heat."

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