65th Medical Brigade hosts annual 38th Parallel Healthcare Training Symposium

Photo By Spc. Miguel DCruz | Cpt. Shinje Kang, 65th Medical Brigade, cuts off the cast after the lesson on how to reset and cast a distal fracture, at Brian D. Allgood Community Hospital on USAG Humphrey, South Korea, October 25, 2021. After the lesson on how to reset and cast a fractured wrist, Kang shows how to safely remove a cast. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Miguel D’Cruz / 20th Public Affairs Detachment)  

APO, SOUTH KOREA

10.25.2021

Story by Pfc. Miguel DCruz 

20th Public Affairs Detachment

65th Medical Brigade hosts annual 38th Parallel Healthcare Training Symposium
By: PFC. Miguel D’Cruz

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea -- The 65th Medical Brigade hosted the 71st annual 38th Parallel Healthcare Training Symposium on U.S. Army Garrison, South Korea, October 25th through 29th, 2021.

Healthcare professionals came together from across the peninsula of South Korea to share behavioral health, dental, medical and veterinary knowledge between the U.S. Armed Forces and the Republic of Korea. Attendees were able to recertify and complete continuing education credits.

“As we convene this year’s 38th Parallel Healthcare Training Symposium, we honor the purpose and intent of its founding members,” said Col. Dave Zimmerman, commander, 65th Medical Brigade. “This 71st iteration offers educational tracks for behavioral health, dental, medical, veterinary, administrative and enlisted Service Members, civilian and contractor personnel across the peninsula.”

The 38th Parallel Healthcare Training Symposium helps to ensure that all of the Medical Corps. are well trained and informed on all practices and procedures. There are seven different fields of study focused on during the symposium. Each with keynote speakers, lecture oriented classes as well as training focused continued education credits.

"Our ROK partners are brought on post and embedded in class with our local soldiers, going through the same training," said Lt. Col. Benjamin Owen, lead coordinator for the training symposium. "Some of our courses are being presented by our ROK partners as well. It's a two-way street. We are presenting what we do, as they present what they do well to us. In such a way it strengthens the alliance, finds common ground and makes everyone a little more comfortable working together."

The alliance between the United States military and the Republic of Korea makes the symposium the major success that it has come to be. The combined experience of these instructors is something that has helped further the strength of the Medical Corps here on the peninsula.

“It is the 65th Medical Brigade’s privilege to host subject matter experts from across the United States, as well as healthcare teams from the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, as we continue to build on the legacy of this strategically important event,” added Zimmerman.

The attendees of the symposium have gained new knowledge, refined the skills they have and received confidence in their abilities.

"Part of being effective is being up to date," said Owen. "The training is cutting edge, it's the latest technology, the way to do things. The purpose of the symposium is so we are proficient in it, the same or better than our civilian counterparts."

• Date Taken: 10.25.2021
• Date Posted: 11.04.2021 21:53
• Story ID: 408730
• Location: APO, KR