Physician Assistants

Courtesy Photo | Physician assistants, like Col. Bill Tozier, had to go through complete Warrior training prior to deployment. Here at Fort McCoy, Wis., he conducts an examination of a different kind with a soldier playing the part of a detainee. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Sam McLarty, TF3 MEDCOM Public Affairs)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.10.2006

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Medical Command

By Maj. Bobby Hart
TF3 MEDCOM Public Affairs

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -At any one time, more than 120 physician assistants (PAs) are in Iraq performing the full gamut of medical services ranging from trauma, acute and primary care, training for medics and clinics for Iraqi civilians.

A group of these physician assistants met in the Oasis Dining Facility here as part of Physician Assistant Week which runs from October 6-12.

"This was a good opportunity for our PAs to get together and share ideas," said Col. Jim Tozier, the Army's senior PA. "We have people spread all across Iraq. Even with this group tonight, we are all on the same FOB (Forward Operating Base), but this is the first time some of us have met."

Tozier and Maj. Jose G. Mangrobang, the senior Corps PA, organized the event to recognize the job PAs do in theater and to give the Soldiers an opportunity to mingle and unwind.

"One of the important things that came out of this was the chance for some of the people who just got into country to meet some of the experienced people and pick their brains," said Tozier, an Active Duty Soldier assigned to the 3rd Medical Command. "The Soldiers who have been here for the past year have gained an incredible amount of knowledge and they are more than willing to pass that along to their counterparts."

The PAs in attendance agreed.

"We just got on the ground here a few days ago, so it's important we talk to the people who've been here and who have done what we'll be expected to do in the next year," said Maj. Todd Kreykes, a PA with the 1171st Area Support Medical Company (ASMC).

One responsibility of the 1171st is to man the Troop Medical Clinic (TMC) on Camp Victory, which Kreykes says provides the unit an opportunity to treat a wide range of injuries.

"Being on post, we see a lot of orthopedic injuries resulting from sports-related accidents," Kreykes said. "But we are a Level two facility, so we do see trauma victims who we have to stabilize and then transport to other facilities."

Another 1171st PA, Capt. Brian McKeon, said the most common ailment coming through the TMC is what Soldiers call the "Baghdad Bug" or "Grunge" which keeps the medical facilities full almost every day during sick call.

"This is a very dusty environment so we get a lot of upper respiratory ailments," McKeon said. "I think almost everybody here will suffer through at least a few days feeling the effects of the environment."

Tozier said the work being done at the TMC is typical of the high tempo action PAs see in Iraq.

"Our PAs here have an excellent opportunity to see the full realm of ailments," Tozier said. "It's a very stressful situation, but the wide range of activities gives the PA's a chance to hone their skills they couldn't get anywhere else in the world."

• Date Taken: 10.10.2006
• Date Posted: 10.11.2006 15:24
• Story ID: 7997
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ