Field hospital no problem for Bravo Surgical

Marine Corps News ^ | Lance Cpl. Wayne Edmiston

[SandRat]

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (June 28, 2006) -- When many people think of a field hospital, often scenes from the popular sitcom “M.A.S.H.” come to mind. For the sailors of Bravo Surgical Co., 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, a field hospital is serious business.

“We are setting up an mock (Surgical/Shock Trauma Platoon) you would see set up as a quick reaction force,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Michael D. Whaley, the lead petty officer for Bravo Surgical Co. “This SSTP can provide everything from surgical to basic care and ancillary services such as X-ray and pharmacy.”

The particular SSTP the sailors of Bravo Surgical were setting up includeD a stabilization tent, operating room, holding facility and an ancillary services lab, said Petty Officer 2nd Class Phil R. Dhaenens, a field medical technician with the company.

What makes the SSTP so efficient in a combat zone is its portability and effectiveness, said Whaley.

“We can have one of these set up in a matter of hours,” Whaley said. “In this case it took us a day so I could instruct the younger sailors step by step.”

This SSTP proved to be quite the hands-on teacher for the younger sailors of the company who have not previously deployed.

“It’s one thing to be in the classroom but they actually get to put their hands on the gear they will be working with while deployed,” Whaley said. “Hands on, the sailors learn so much more.”

The setup is also very flexible and is designed to be set up in any weather situation and its medical abilities are near endless, said Whaley.

“This particular set up can essentially treat anything that comes in off the frontline,” said Whaley. “What we treat is a matter of supplies and manpower and that’s when we would forward patients on to a higher echelon of care.”

The experiences the young Marines gained from setting up the SSTP was evident as their efficiency increased as time went by.

“I’ve learned all the instruments for surgeries I will be working with,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Cory Bemis, a surgical technician with the Company. “This all helps out and we will be able to provide lifesaving care to anyone.”

[SandRat]

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (June 27, 2006) – Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel S. McCoy gathers some supplies to set up a surgical shock trauma platoon setup. The particular SSTP the sailors of Bravo Surgical were setting up included a stabilization tent, operating room, holding facility and an ancillary services lab designed to treat patients off the front lines. McCoy is a surgical technician with Bravo Surgical Co., 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Wayne Edmiston

[SandRat]

Combat Docs.

[Bean Counter]

Be sure to Tivo and watch the HBO Documentary "Baghdad ER". It's all about our Combat Docs, it's hard as hell to watch, and worth every second.

[SandRat]

Don't have HBO.

[Eagles6]

Humbert Riva, was the driving force behind this concept in WWII. Ended up in the China-Burma theater. Was Mamie Eisenhower's doctor for 'woman things' during Ike's presidency. Her hysterectomy was front page news in local papers.

Son of Italian immigrants, he done good, as has all of the family, the American Dream come true.

He passed a few years ago, after a stellar career in OB-GYN. He rests among those he served at Arlington.