Total force medical team provides care for Native Americans

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jessica Martin
  • 926th Group Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) --  A medical team of 18 reservists and an active duty Airman from here recently spent two weeks providing medical care for about 400 members of the Crowe Creek Indian Reservation in Fort Thompson, S.D.

The team, which included ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, flight surgeons, dentists, medical and dental technicians, and an audiologist, were sent to augment U.S. Public Health service personnel.

"The local populace has to drive 200 miles for specialty health care," said Maj. Zachary Timko, the 926th AMDS senior administrator.

"Our ophthalmologist, Lieutenant Colonel Greg Hsu, provided much needed specialty eye care. In fact, his services were so appreciated, a local tribesman gave Dr. Hsu the shirt off his back in appreciation for his sight-saving work. Captain Tammy Baker from the 99th Medical Group provided expert audiology screenings for not only the local population but for the Public Health Service officers assigned to the region."

The call for help came from Air Force Reserve Command, which partners with various agencies in need of assistance, team officials said. Local leadership quickly jumped at the opportunity to provide care and gain valuable training.

The two-week venture focused primarily on providing exams for school-aged children, as well as special eye and audiology care requested, the officials said. The medical practitioners visited the local elementary, middle and senior high schools and provided screenings for height, weight, vision, color vision, hearing, scoliosis and diabetes to more than 300 students. While one team was onsite at the schools another administered sports physicals for the school athletes, as well dental and general medical care.

As most of the reservists hold jobs in the civilian sector, they were able to apply their outside skills to the visit. Tech. Sgt. Vanessa Hollein, a veterinary technician in the Las Vegas Valley, assisted with the vaccination of more than 60 animals. Tech. Sgt. Alex Turner, a public health worker, conducted water samplings and educated the community on safe food handling and sanitation practices.

"The experience was a good chance to see the stateside version of what we do when we deploy overseas," Hollein said. "There were a lot of military veterans in the area, and they told us how much they appreciated our help."

Additionally, the team hosted a veteran's stand down that provided social services, food and clothing to disadvantaged and needy Native American veterans.

The total force team bonded with the community during its time on the reservation, even participating in a traditional Native American pow wow at the conclusion of the trip.

"It's tough for part-time reservists to take time away from their civilian jobs," Timko said. "But it's phenomenal to go out and help people in need and to see how appreciative they are. The medical professionals of the 926th AMDS volunteer every day for missions like these and others abroad, not for the pay or accolades but for the love of service to our country and others."