Evans Army Community Hospital (EACH) welcomed the 7450th Medical Operations Readiness Unit (MORU) Aug. 4, 2021, for the start of their Annual Training (AT).
The MORU, a U.S. Army Reserve unit based out of Aurora, Colorado, partnered 13 of their Reservists with the hospital for a Mobilization Exercise (MOBEX).
EACH Mobilization and Plans Specialist Duane Pack began coordinating the training with MORU leadership in January by renewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
“What we did is essentially prepare them for movement or a deployment by integrating them into the hospital’s daily operations,” said Pack. “It allowed them to get the proper medical training they need and, in return, helped us fill any personnel shortages.”
From August 4-17, the Reservists conducted training within departments that pertained to their specific military occupational specialty (MOS).
“These people are part of our team,” said Pack.
Pack, who also serves as the assistant emergency manager for EACH, plans to extend the program to other organizations, including the Army National Guard and the U.S. Air Force.
The MORU began their AT with the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) followed by an M4 rifle and M9 pistol qualification at a firing range on Fort Carson.
Reservists also practiced their land navigation skills and updated their medical records during a Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) before joining hospital staff in their respective hospital for the MOBEX.
Not all the Reservists who attended AT with EACH had a medical MOS.
Sgt. 1st Class Justin Johnson, a human resources specialist, served as the noncommissioned officer in charge of the MOBEX.
“What it comes down to is that we build a relationship with the staff members here,” said Johnson. “There is a cohesiveness with the training which helps the hospital and helps the Reserves as well.”
Johnson, a Utah native, serves as a nurse in his civilian capacity and travels to Aurora, Colorado, once a month for Battle Training Assembly (BTA) weekend in addition to the two-week AT requirement.
Maj. Joseph Dipasqua, the MOBEX officer in charge, hails from Wyoming and also makes the trip to Colorado for BTA weekends and AT.
Dipasqua is a clinical laboratory scientist while serving in uniform and a technical coordinator for a hospital in Wyoming as a civilian.
“It’s our job to make sure our Soldiers have the training required to work in their field in the event they’re mobilized,” said Dipasqua. “The emphasis is on Soldier readiness – that’s the key point.”
Some Reservists, like Spc. Kershia Mukoro, had experience working at EACH prior to this year’s AT.
Mukoro, a medical laboratory specialist, trained with EACH from August 2020 to March 2021 for the second phase of her Advanced Individual Training (AIT).
During phase two of AIT, Soldiers are assigned to a hospital for six months and required to complete a certain amount of clinical hours prior to graduation. Mukoro was assigned EACH’s Pathology Department and completed her clinical hours in the laboratory.
Mukoro returned to EACH for AT with a Medical Technologist (MT) certification and nearly three months of experience at Scott County Hospital in Kansas.
“I really liked the lab and the people I worked with,” said Mukoro. “Being able to work with my instructors again, the people who trained me in my job, was just really great.”
With a bachelor’s degree in forensic science and a master’s degree in molecular biology, Mukoro said she is ready to start her new position medical lab technologist at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
“This MOBEX was a really great opportunity for Soldiers in the Reserves to refresh their skills and get hands on training,” said Mukoro.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 08.18.2021 12:50 |
| Story ID: | 403290 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 1,157 |
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