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    Orthopedic surgeon Lt. Col. Bone visits 3rd MDSC

    Orthopedic surgeon Lt. Col. Bone visits 3rd MDSC

    Courtesy Photo | Orthopedic Surgeon, Lt. Col. Larry Bone, 94th Forward Surgical Team, former 3rd MDSC...... read more read more

    FOREST PARK, GA, UNITED STATES

    09.17.2012

    Story by Master Sgt. Serbennia Davis 

    3d Medical Command Deployment Support

    FORT GILLEM, Ga. - The last thing on 64-year-old Lt. Col. Lawrence Bone’s mind was retirement when he took the Officer’s Oath to join the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) as a critical need orthopedic surgeon. “Most people my age are looking forward to settling down,” Bone stated in a recent interview with Maj. Zoevera Jackson, Public Affairs Officer, Headquarters 3rd Medical Deployment Support Command (MDSC), Fort. Gillem, Ga.

    While beating the odds, he overcame age barriers and met stringent physical demands through training for two years. This led to Lt. Col. Bone mastering his record Army Physical Fitness Test with an outstanding score of 331 points! “I’m very proud of the fact that I ‘maxed-out’ on my APFT,” said Bone.

    During his recent visit at 3rd MDSC, Bone expressed that, “The military injury is so much different, we don’t have the severity, the high energy blast injuries, just the severity of the injury is going to be so much worse. I’ve seen it during my volunteer work at Landstuhl. I’m aware of what I’m getting myself into.” His 21-year career as an Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon and Professor at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences automatically qualified him to join the U.S. Army with the rank of lieutenant colonel for the 865th Combat Support Hospital (CSH), 338th Medical Brigade, Utica, N.Y.

    Maj. Brett Jackson, 3rd MDSC Logistics Officer/HHC commander, spoke with Lt. Col. Larry Bone during his visit and was proud to meet a civilian doctor who had recently earned the title of U.S. Army Officer. Jackson also served in Afghanistan and commended Bone for his dedication and patriotism. His best advice to the doctor is, “Remember why you are there, treat all Soldiers the same regardless of rank, and remember you are the subject matter expert.”

    As a mentor and volunteer, Bone is committed to do more to help solve the military’s desperate call for orthopedic surgeons. “Mentoring is very important. None of us have gotten to where we are today without good mentors. I mentor my young residence. I have 30 orthopedic surgeons. It’s my job to mentor them and to be their role model. I hope to do the same while I’m in the Army,” said Bone.

    In May 2008, Bone helped to teach for the Landstuhl Visiting Scholars Program for orthopedic surgeons. This volunteer program was established in Germany because the most common serious injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan were extremity wounds. Military personnel are flown into Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for intermediate care. The elite groups of orthopedic surgeons selected for this program have 10 or more years of experience in clinical care and teaching.

    Bone was inspired to serve by his son, Christian B. Bone, who served for two tours in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division. Christian was injured during his second tour in 2006 by an improvised explosive device (IED). This had a great impact on Bone’s decision to join the military. “His involvement in the military got me thinking about, how can I also serve? When I heard that they were short of orthopedic surgeons, that there was a critical need, because of that there was an age waiver, I volunteered,” said Bone.

    “We’re always short,” said Lt. Col. Joel Guinyard, Chief Force Development Officer, HQ, 3rd MDSC during his brief conversation with Lt. Col. Bone. Specialty military occupations and areas of concentrations are difficult to fill because of the prolonged school requirements.

    “Commanders today are being told to reach out to the community and ask for help,” Guinyard added. See a need, fill a need, is what Bone is doing to show his patriotism. Guinyard’s words of wisdom from one lieutenant colonal to another are, “Don’t get burnt out, meter yourself like a marathon runner and not sprint, try not to overextend yourself.”

    The concerned father and doctor realized that the U.S. Army’s critical needs for his orthopedic skills were imperative. “I want to give back to my country and to all of those who have served before me. If I can convince one person to enlist and following my footsteps, that would be wonderful,” said Bone. After visiting the 3rd MDSC, Bone deployed to Afghanistan with the 624th Forward Surgical Team.

    For further information about LTC Bone’s visit to headquarters 3rd MDSC visit:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANcQEcnh6VQ

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.17.2012
    Date Posted: 09.17.2012 12:45
    Story ID: 94829
    Location: FOREST PARK, GA, US
    Hometown: BUFFALO, NY, US
    Hometown: UTICA, NY, US

    Web Views: 804
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN