Members of 56th Medical Group aid Guatemalans

  • Published
  • By Deborah Marie Gibson
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Luke's medical professionals traveled to Guatemala Sept. 2 through 16 to perform a humanitarian mission that provided medical care to more than 7,500 Guatemalans. The nine Thunderbolts were a part of a 16-member medical team that included five Airmen from Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas,and two from Lackland AFB, Texas.

The specialized team attended to the primary care, gynecological, optical, dental and dermatological needs of the Guatemalan people. The 3rd Brigade, Guatemalan Army, assisted as interpreters to help overcome language barriers. They also provided security and maintained crowd control.

The team traveled together with $40,000 of medical supplies and set up clinics in three schools located in the town Jutiapa. The schools lacked running water, electricity and exam tables. Yet every day, hundreds of Guatemalans flocked to the clinic and stood in line for hours. Some walked miles or endured long bus rides to receive treatment.

"The temporary duty was a great training opportunity for us," said Chief Master Sgt. Rod Sepulveda, 56th Medical Operations Squadron superintendent. "We had the opportunity to treat many tropical diseases we never see in the states."

More than 14,000 prescriptions were administered with gastrointestinal problems being the most common ailments treated.

Many Guatemalans received dental care for the first time.

"The people were very grateful for the care they obtained and even when teth had to be extracted, I never heard anyone complain or whimper; not even children," said Senior Master Angela Wood, 56th Medical Squadron Tricare Flight superintendent.

Another common medical need optometry. The Lion's Club of Phoenix donated approximately pairs of glasses to help the vision of Guatemalans.

"It was a great experience to people's vision restored," Tech. Sgt. Dawn Wachter, MDOS main clinic pharmacy charge. "Many people seeing things clearly for the time."

The mission was a huge success," Sergeant Wood said. "It illustrated the United States is a country that truly cares about the well-being of people from third world countries."

Air Education and Training Command is normally tasked yearly with a humanitarian mission and the 56th MDG looks enthusiastically looks forward to next opportunity.

"It was was great to be a part of the diplomatic medical presence in Guatemala," said Col. Debra Jatter, 56th MDG chief nurse and medical team commander. "The people were extremely grateful for the care they received and we were treated with appreciation and respect."

Other 56th MDG members who took part in the TDY were Lt. Col. Ruth Gullotta, pediatrician; Lt. Col. Roger Pradelli, 56th Dental Squadron Clinical Flight commander; Capt. Russell Lemmon, family practice physician; Capt. Frank Trejo, physician assistant and Capt. Brian White, internal medicine physician.