Photo By Spc. Jacqueline Dowland | Pfc. Elizabeth N. Nintai, a combat medic with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, of...... read more read more
NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, Bulgaria- Whether she is intently inserting intravenous fluid into a patient, or painstakingly counting the exact amount of medication required to treat ailments, the care and patience is evident as the medic furrows her brow and works quickly yet efficiently to ensure each task she tackles is executed to the best of her ability.
Dreams haven't always been a reality for Pfc. Elizabeth N. Nintai, a combat medic with 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, and a native of San Antonio, Texas, originally from Cameroon, West Africa. Growing up in the beautiful tourist city of French-speaking Douala, Cameroon, Nintai dreamed of visiting the countries of the tourists she met, from China, South America, Europe, and the United States.
"Cameroon is very friendly because we have a lot of tourists that come to visit Cameroon due to the friendly people, tropical climate, and good food there," said Nintai. "Yet, I wanted to get out of the culture I grew up with, leave my comfort zone, and meet new people from all over the world, and what better place to do that than the United States."
A door was opened for young Nintai, as she attended boarding school in the English-speaking city of Bamenda, Cameroon, where she was raised to speak both French and English fluently.
Yet, the greatest opportunity for traveling and advancement came as an unexpected blessing in disguise when her parents gave an impromptu tour to an American couple asking for directions as they visited Cameroon, followed by Nintai's parents opening their home to the tourists and warmly offering them dinner.
"Our family didn't expect anything to come of the experience but a lasting friendship," said Nintai. "Yet, 20 years later, the same American couple opened the doors of their home to me and housed me in Uvalde, Texas, while I went to college, as a way to repay my family for their act of kindness and generosity all those years ago."
As a child growing up in Cameroon, Nintai watched American television shows, yearning one day to achieve the American dream. Through her American sponsors' act of selflessness, and the local church lending aid in any way they could, such as helping with tuition, Nintai was able to graduate with an Associate's degree in Nursing.
Yet, the driven Nintai wasn't done making her dreams a reality, as she continued reaching for the stars. Nintai had branched out from her roots in Africa as she traveled to the United States, but she longed to see and experience even more of the world.
"I joined the Army after college for a new experience, to open doors, and give me new opportunities, especially in the medical field," said Nintai. "I also joined the Army to meet other soldiers from all over the world, and for the opportunity to get paid while traveling across the globe."
And that she has, as yet another unexpected opportunity for personal growth presented itself to Nintai shortly after graduation from advanced individual training in the Army. Nintai was sent not to a duty station in the United States, but to Vilseck, Germany, then to Romania and now Bulgaria as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, training side-by-side with new friends from thousands of miles away from home, allowing her yet another chance to experience a new corner of the world.
" It's such a blessing to have the people here, and to be given the opportunities that we're given," said Nintai. "The people are so warm and welcoming here, offering for us to try their food and take pictures with them."
But the culture isn't the only learning opportunity for Nintai in Europe. She is also able to glean medical knowledge that teaches her that the universal world of medicine isn't so different thousands of miles from home.
"Our equipment, such as tourniquets, may look different from theirs, but they operate in the same fashion," said Nintai. "Also, I'm amazed at how quick and effective the Bulgarian medics are at treating a patient, they can get a patient in and out of an examination room, while still treating the patient competently and efficiently."
Nintai's efforts help to stengthen the alliance between the American and Bulgarian medics as they train and work together as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Recently, Nintai helped teach Bulgarian medics the principles of a combat lifesaver course. Nintai incorporated the basics of the ABC's, or airway, breathing, and compression, of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in order to help teach the Bulgarian medics lifesaving tactics since the basic principles are the same for both allies. Nintai demonstrated a commitment to the progression of interoperability between the counterparts by speaking in a universal medical language the Bulgarian medics could understand.
As Nintai gains worldliness and knowledge of other cultures, her heart and mind often wanders to home. Nintai's goals are to first, learn as much as she can about the medical field from the Army and her NATO allies during joint training, then to become a doctor in the future so she can improve the world around her. One way she wants to do this is by bringing her talents back to her hometown.
"Cameroon is a third world country, but with hard-working people, but they don't have the means to always advance as much as they would be able to if they left Cameroon," said Nintai. "I would like to go back to Cameroon one day and practice back home to go back and help out the people of Cameroon."
The world will surely benefit from Nintai's sense of open-mindedness, selfless service, and dedication, both at home and overseas, now and in the future.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2015 06:14 |
| Story ID: | 167254 |
| Location: | NOVO SELO, BG |
| Web Views: | 541 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Unexpected opportunities found a world away, by SPC Jacqueline Dowland, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT