Medics provide critical aid during Nicaraguan mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christine Collier
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (ACCNS) --  Members from the 9th Medical Group returned March 3 from a two-week medical readiness training exercise in Nicaragua, where they provided medical care to more than 6,600 patients. 

"We went to Nicaragua to treat patients as part of a humanitarian aid mission, but part of the mission was also to strengthen ties between Nicaragua and the United States," said Maj. Maud Oliver-Kelley, 9th Medical Support Squadron Diagnostics and Therapeutics Flight commander and MedRETE commander. 

The mission, which took place Feb. 17 through March 3, gave doctors and technicians the chance to practice field medicine in an expeditionary environment while providing real-world medical care to the people of Nicaragua. In addition, Team Beale members had the opportunity to work closely with local doctors in the cities they visited, enabling them to treat as many patients as possible. 

"When we arrived at the sites to begin our treatments, there were so many people waiting in line to see us," said Lt. Col. Robert Reinhart, 9th Medical Operations Squadron Dental Flight commander and MedRETE dentist. "It was like the line for the biggest after-Christmas sale. It was incredible." 

People came from several miles away, many making the trek to the various medical treatment sites because they had not had previous opportunities in their lives to see a doctor or dentist. 

"Patients came from everywhere," said Master Sgt. Anita Malone, 9th MDOS superintendent. "We heard stories of people walking for two and a half hours just to see us." 

Despite the long lines of ailing patients, the members of the medical team were able to provide care for several hundred people a day. 

"Every day we had major surgeries," Colonel Reinhart said. "We had patients with tumors, abscesses, gum disease and lots of cavities. At one point, I removed 13 teeth from one person." 

One young boy sought treatment because his leg had been burned by a smoldering piece of cardboard. It had caused severe burns that had not been properly cared for. 

"We cleaned the boy's wound and instructed the grandfather on how to properly care for and clean the wound each day," said Capt. Matthew Gill, 99th Reconnaissance Squadron flight surgeon and MedRETE doctor. "We referred him to a local clinic that would ensure proper daily wound care and obtain a surgical consult for a skin graft for the child." 

As each patient made his or her way to the front of the line to have sometimes painful procedures performed, many endured the treatments quietly. 

"No matter what the procedure, the patients didn't complain," said Capt. Derrick Darnsteadt, 12th Reconnaissance Squadron flight surgeon and MedRETE doctor. "They were so happy with whatever they got. They were very calm and very respectful - it's the kind of thing that makes you want to do even more." 

"It's a nice feeling to have people be so appreciative," Major Oliver-Kelley said. "They were grateful for any little thing we could do for them." 

Although interpreters were necessary at times, as most of the locals spoke Spanish, no translation was needed when the patients wanted to show their gratitude to the doctors. 

"I know the patients liked it because many of them returned the next day to tell us how much better they felt and to bring us gifts, like a dozen eggs or coconut cookies," Captain Gill said. "Some of the other patients brought fresh watermelon and cantaloupe-sized avocados to us because they were so grateful to the dentists for pulling their bad teeth or to the optometrists for giving them glasses." 

In nine days, the medical team cared for 6,604 patients. 

"The mission was very successful," said Tech. Sgt. Jose Diaz, 9th MDOS Optometry Services NCO-in-charge and MedRETE NCOIC. "Every patient that was seen - not one left empty handed. It was a good thing." 

In addition to helping patients and nation building, which were main goals of the MedRETE, members of the team also had the opportunity to learn more about each other and the job that each person does. 

"The whole thing was a great team effort," Sergeant Diaz said. "We all worked well together." 

"All of our team members became really close because of this experience," Colonel Reinhart said. "The whole experience was touching. There were moments where I actually teared up. I would do it again in a heartbeat." 

The MedRETE team consisted of optometrists, dentists and a pediatrician, as well as women's health, internal medicine and general medicine doctors. 

Seventeen Team Beale members participated in the humanitarian aid mission and were accompanied by six doctors and technicians from Langley Air Force Base, Va., Moody AFB, Ga., Minot AFB, N.D. and Dyess AFB, Texas.