Photo By Master Sgt. Jocelyn Ford | U.S. Army Maj. Tammie Kerns, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) physician,...... read more read more
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ATTAPEU PROVINCE, Laos -- “Medicine is a great element of diplomatic power,” said U.S. Army Maj. Tamie Kerns, staff oncologist from the Tripler Army Medical Center Hematology Oncology Clinic. This statement comes after weeks in the field as the team surgeon with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) on mission to Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
“The Lao government considers this a humanitarian mission,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Marcus M. Ferrara, DPAA Detachment Three (Laos) commander, in regards to the DPAA mission to recover fallen service members from the Vietnam War.
Negotiations with the Lao government more than 20 years ago resulted in joint humanitarian efforts. DPAA provides someone in the position of team surgeon for humanitarian efforts to the local population and in exchange, teams are allowed to fulfill our nation’s promise of bringing our fallen home.
Kerns visited multiple sites to meet with host nation workers, as her position helps build relationships.
“It is really hard to misunderstand what you are trying to do when you are trying to help someone through a medical outreach program,” said Kerns. “It really breaks down barriers and regardless of not being able to understand one another’s culture, or being from two different cultures and not speaking the language, I think medicine always transcends that difference.”
Most of the care provided was similar to what all medical professionals get on every mission: aches and pains from the long days of digging and screening and some allergy issues with the dust. However, the simple act of meeting with the workers was just another form of fostering relationships.
“Here they are and they are getting the same level of care there on site that our guys are getting when we are on site,” said Kerns.
Kerns went to Lao as the team surgeon, and like all team members she wore many hats throughout the mission. Each member on mission had their specialty; but all took part in the digging and screening that is necessary to bring our fallen home. Kerns volunteered for the mission with much support.
“I have had the opportunity in my short career to have many patients that were very special and have had extraordinary experiences and many of them lost their brothers here in Lao and in Vietnam,” Kerns said.
She took the tasking not only to fulfill our nations promise and the promise of the warrior ethos, but to honor her patients, as well.
“The quality of the people we get for that position [team surgeon], they are awesome.” said Ferrara. “These people spend probably most of their time in a really sterile environment, in a comfortable hospital somewhere. They come out here and they never complain, they knuckle down and work and it constantly blows my mind. They are actually an inspiration.”
“The program is fantastic and I think it goes a long way,” said Ferrara. “I know the villagers appreciate it.”
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 11.22.2016 14:26 |
| Story ID: | 215607 |
| Location: | LA |
| Web Views: | 106 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Building relationships in Laos through medicine, by MSgt Jocelyn Ford, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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