Published: April 11, 2006
Iraqi Medics Care for Their Injured Iraqi Army Soldiers
A Medical Platoon Sergeant for the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division Iraqi Army and Capt. Molly Warnick, Physician Assistant, provide medical care to an Iraqi Soldier at C-MED, Camp Ramadi.
Photo: C-MED 2/28 BCT |
RAMADI, Iraq - Approximately one month ago Navy Hospitalman 2nd Class Buf Kloppenborg, Military Transition Team (MiTT) medic for the 3-2-1 Iraqi Army (IA) at Camp Ramadi, presented to the staff at Camp Ramadi Charlie Medical (C-MED) a special request. Allow the Iraqi Army (IA) medics to observe the sick call procedures at C-MED.
Capt. Molly Warnick, C-MED's Physician Assistant for the 2nd Brigade of the 28 Infantry Division Brigade Combat Team (2/28 BCT), accepted the request and began working closely with Hospitalman Kloppenborg and the IA medics. Capt. Warnick enhanced the medical learning process by integrating the IA medics into trauma rehearsals and taught them how to do each job on the medical table. This learning opportunity would allow the IA medics to become more skilled at caring for their own Iraqi Soldiers.
On April 8, 2006, Iraqi medics partnered with Coalition Forces medical staff had the opportunity to put their hours of training to the test, by treating two of their own Iraqi Soldiers at C-MED. The injured IA Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division sustained injuries as a result of an IED attack while conducting a dismounted foot patrol with the 3-8 Marines in Central Ramadi.
One Soldier was treated for superficial cuts and the other Soldier was treated for a broken wrist.
The 3-2-1 IA medics were called into C-MED and performed trauma care. Capt. Molly Warnick was the supervisor, and provided assistance to the IA Medics. One of the IA medics started the IV and drew blood flawlessly. Another IA medic exposed the patients and assessed the extremities. There were also two Coalition Forces medics on the bed that checked vital signs and made sure the IA medics performed their jobs to perfection.
The Iraqi Soldier that was treated for superficial cuts was released back to duty. The patient with the broken wrist was stabilized, given pain medication and antibiotics, and was safely flown out urgent surgical.
"The trauma resuscitation team at Charlie Med consists of a Physician Assistant who is the leader and decision maker for care. In order to perform a trauma resuscitation in an efficient and life saving manner a medical team is necessary. The rest of the team is comprised of medics. Each medic has a job that must be performed quickly and accurately," said Capt. Warnick.
"It's a great feeling to be able to take care of our own Soldiers," said the 3-2-1 IA Medical Platoon Sergeant, "Our Soldiers become much more confident conducting their missions, because they know that they can depend on us to take care of them," he said.
It was the 2/28 BCT's C-Med Company Commander, Capt. Dirk Remensnyder that gave the approval for the IA medics to conduct Trauma care for their own Soldiers. "They have been extremely receptive to learning and show a great amount of intelligence in medicine. I have been very impressed with their great attitude, and their ability to learn; even with the language barrier," said Capt. Remensyder.
Lt. Doctor Mossa of the 3-2-1 IA expressed the importance of Iraqi medics taking care of Iraqi Soldiers " Iraqi Soldiers feel great when they see an Iraqi face taking care of them, they feel very comfortable and secure with my medics."
Capt. Warnick is grateful for the opportunity to work and train with the Iraqi Medics. "I continue to be impressed with their skills and abilities. I hope that C-MED is able to help make a difference in helping them to become self sufficient as a nation by helping enable their medical capabilities," she said.
Source: 2nd Brigade Combat Team / 28th Infantry Division (M)
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