MWU Glendale Hosts Air Force Medical Day

Today's guest blog comes from Barb Grassy, the Manager of Special Events at the Glendale Campus. Barb is responsible for managing such events as our golf outing, graduation ceremony, Bright Lights gala, holiday celebrations, and faculty/staff recognition dinner. Last month she helped to coordinate a very unique event, Air Force Medical Day. Here's her recap of the day:

As the Air Force arrived on campus at 8:00 am on March 22, our crew was awaiting to help them set up for Air Force Medical Day, part of National Air Force Week all over the country. Out of the very few blustery days we have in Arizona, this was definitely a day we were hoping for sunny skies! As the day progressed, our hopes were dashed. We had gray and gloomy skies all morning, and subsequently when it was time for the demonstrations, we had wind gusts of up to 60 mph! But, being the Air Force, our guests knew how to make it work.

The 56th Medical Group at Luke Air Force Base set up a decontamination tent and a moulage area for the MWU students. The purpose of the decon tent was to demonstrate how an inpatient decon team ensures that all patients, prior to gaining access to a medical facility, are decontaminated. Students learn that as health care providers, the decon team is an important resource of a medical facility. If they treat contaminated patients, they would place themselves and their patients at risk.

The medical moulage team demonstrated the realistic casualty simulation that is used to enhance the training of combat medics in preparation for Global War on Terrorism deployments and response to civilian disasters. The realistic wounds provide better training in the proper triage and treatment of the injured by inducing a psychological response that is experienced in these types of events. The various types of injuries and locations cause the first responders and medical teams to think on their feet and deal with situations that may be encountered.

Air Force Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) James Roudebush spoke to the students and conducted a Q&A session. He told the students that "...caring for insured military personnel is a relationship built on trust." Lt. Gen. Roudebush's Executive Officer is MWU alum Captain Mark Ballesteros, Pharm.D., who graduated from the College of Pharmacy-Glendale in 2001. I knew Dr. Ballesteros from when I worked in Student Services, so we had an enjoyable conversation bring up "old times." Mark's sister, Kyle Ballesteros, will continue family tradition this year when she will graduate from MWU with a master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies.

At the conclusion of the session, Lt. Gen. Roudebush joined MWU administrators for a luncheon on campus. Dr. Arthur Dobbelaere, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, presented the Lt. General, through a handshake, with an AZCOM Inaugural Class of 2000 coin. The Lt. General reciprocated in the same manner with two Air Force coins. I was curious about the meaning of this coin exchange tradition and learned that "challenge coins of military tradition are a symbol of pride, respect, and fellowship." They are exchanged discreetly by a handshake.

After the lunch, the Air Force staff escorted Lt. Gen. Roudebush to observe their demonstration area. It was as if Mother Nature had snapped her fingers, and we were in our monsoon season! The skies turned dark, and the wind gusts were phenomenal! Even with all of this weather, everyone proceeded with the demonstrations. When it was time for Lt. Gen. Roudebush to leave, he personally thanked each one of us for our hospitality. It was my pleasure to have the opportunity to meet him. It also provided me with a whole new insight into the involvement of the military medical personnel.