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    Army Surgeon General praises staff during BAMC visit

    TSG Visit BAMC

    Photo By Robert Shields | Lt. Gen. Nadja West, Army Surgeon General, talks with Staff Sgt. Peter Dubey during...... read more read more

    FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX, UNITED STATES

    12.15.2016

    Story by Lori Newman  

    Brooke Army Medical Center Public Affairs   

    By Lori Newman
    BAMC Public Affairs

    JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- Lt. Gen. Nadja West, Army Surgeon General, visited Brooke Army Medical Center Dec. 14 for the first time since she became TSG to learn about the BAMC mission and visit patients and staff members.

    West toured several areas within the hospital including the simulation center, burn center, emergency department, rooftop helipad and the Center for the Intrepid.

    Army Maj. Heather Delaney, chief of the BAMC Simulation Center, and her staff provided demonstrations on life-like simulation mannequins and equipment they use daily to train doctors, residents, nurses and other staff.

    Delaney also talked about the role the simulation center played in training the military Ebola team in October 2014.

    “We created a 65-page curriculum that talked about the different varying degrees of the Ebola virus,” Delaney explained, showing the TSG a poster that was created highlighting the Ebola training.

    “I can tell you that at the highest levels … we really appreciate how rapidly you [helped] put the team together,” West said. “To do that so quickly is a testament to the fantastic professionalism here.”

    West tried some of the surgical simulators such as the Bronchoscope simulator, to get hands-on experience.

    The TSG then toured the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center to learn about their mission. The burn center staff explained the rehabilitation process for patients who receive burn care. They also highlighted the patient transport mission and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or ECMO on patients during transport.

    West said she realized how daunting it must be for staff members who work with patients recovering from severe injuries, so she encouraged the staff to remain resilient and support each other.

    Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, BAMC commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Albert Crews then showed West the only rooftop helipad in the Department of Defense where she met several Army and Air Force doctors who explained the importance of maintaining an active Level I Trauma Center and its role in sustaining a ready medical force.

    “If [leaders] hear it from the folks who are actually doing it and making recommendations, that’s very powerful,” she said. “That’s critical to make sure we preserve our capabilities.”

    West also visited an operating room area and the emergency department before moving on to the Center for the Intrepid where she toured the facility. She concluded her visit by presenting coins to some deserving BAMC staff members.

    “Thank you so much for all the work that you do to support this organization,” she said.

    “If you ever need to see a ‘Can Do’ attitude in person visit the Center for the Intrepid,” West tweeted after her visit. “I can’t say enough about the wonderful professionals we have in the Army Medical Department.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 12.15.2016
    Date Posted: 12.19.2016 17:24
    Story ID: 218178
    Location: FORT SAM HOUSTON, TX, US

    Web Views: 185
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN