56th Medical Group partners with Scottsdale Healthcare

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Janet Haliburton
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 56th Medical Group and Scottsdale Healthcare Hospital unveiled a "Salute to the Military" display honoring military members in Scottsdale Sunday. 

Maj. Gen. Bruce Green, Air Force Deputy Surgeon General was an honored guest at the unveiling ceremony accompanied by Col. Joseph Chozinski, 56th MDG commander. 

General Green directs all operations of the Air Force Medical Service, a $5.1 billion, 43,100 person integrated health care delivery system serving 2.4 million beneficiaries at 75 military treatment facilities worldwide. 

Medical personnel from Luke have been participating in clinical rotations in the Readiness Skill Sustainment Training Program with Scottsdale Healthcare's Military Training since 2005. 

The RSSTP is a 12 day course designed for military medical personnel to meet their Readiness Skills Verification requirements. 

The RSSTP training at Scottsdale allows MDG personnel, both medical and administrative to gain valuable experience in the care of trauma patients and the critically ill. 

"Because we are a clinic, that experience does not come with day-to-day work and Scottsdale has stepped up to share experiences available in their facility," Colonel Chozinski said. "In return, our medics who return from deployment will be able to share valuable lessons learned in combat casualty care, improving our local civilian trauma care system as well. Air Force medics have readiness skills training requirements that will be more effectively accomplished through regular experiences scheduled at Scottsdale." 

According to Colonel Chozinski, providers like Lt. Col. Bob Dixon, 56th Medical Operations Squadron general surgeon, have had the opportunity to gain valuable experience in trauma surgery with this program. 

"He is now on his second deployment into combat areas and at these deployed locations, and at Scottsdale, he has gained skills which are now saving the lives of men and women who otherwise would not have survived," he said. 

"Our Luke medics can look forward to training rotations in which the most up-to-date methods for treating trauma are taught, by a faculty well experienced in this kind of care. Even our administrative medical personnel will get the chance to see trauma patients before they arrive in theatre. This will prepare them psychologically for work they may never have seen before." 

Clinical rotations for medical personnel are customized, hands-on experiences that enable military personnel to practice skills needed to prepare for deployment.

"Our duties in the trauma center, burn unit and ambulance ride alongs, wound care/hyperbaric, intensive care unit and operating room observations were all great learning experiences," said Airman 1st Class Heather Serra, 56th MDOS Aerospace Medicine technician. "I think with this training I will be prepared for any upcoming deployment." 

In 2002, Scottsdale Healthcare met with local and national Air National Guard leaders to discuss the benefit of trauma training for military medical personnel at Scottsdale Healthcare Hospital. A panel of military and civilian physicians, nurses and medical technicians created a curriculum and rotational schedule that enables the military and civilian healthcare providers to develop and sustain trauma skills. 

In 2004, Scottsdale Healthcare signed the first Memorandum of Understanding with the Arizona ANG. In subsequent years, Scottsdale Healthcare gained agreements with the national-level Air National Guard Bureau, Luke and Davis Monthan Air Force Base medical departments, active and Reserve, as well as Army medical units. 

In 2005, Colonel Dixon was one the first trainees in a Scottsdale Healthcare program currently serving in Kirkuk, Iraq. 

"We have nine personnel that began the RSSTP July 14 and we plan on increasing our number to serve more people," said Randy Derr, Scottsdale Healthcare Clinical Educator military training registered nurse. 

"We are also expanding the program to have those who have deployed return to lecture on what they actually experienced in the field treating casualties. This will allow us to continually improve the program for those who will deploy in the future." 

As of 2008, more than 300 military medical personnel had trained at Scottsdale Healthcare and achieved an average of over 95 percent success in demonstrating proficiency in necessary trauma skills. 

"Extremely courageous Airmen continue to serve, and our civilian partners have stepped up to be sure they are ready to serve -- ready both with well honed skills, but also ready emotionally to see trauma on a large scale," Colonel Chozinski said. 

"I believe this program will continue to grow, and our relationship with our civilian partners will develop to become the gold standard for training combat medical skills at Air Force clinics."