Air Force doctors train Pakistanis in battlefield surgery

  • Published
  • By Linda Frost
  • 59th Medical Wing Public Affairs
RAWALPIND, Pakistan (AFPN) --  Air Force medical professionals are part of an ongoing defense mission to teach their international military counterparts the latest combat-related surgical techniques.

A five-person team of Air Force doctors recently returned from Rawalpind, Pakistan, after teaching a five-day course to Pakistani Army doctors and nurses. The team, made up of three general surgeons, one orthopedic and one veterinarian, shared their experiences in trauma surgery and treating combat-related injuries.

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Todd Rasmussen, Capt. (Dr.) Joshua Alley and Capt. (Dr.) Joseph Stuart, all from the 59th Medical Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, participated in the train-the-trainer program, sponsored by the Defense Institute for Medical Operations, located at Brooks-City Base, Texas. Two other team members were Lt. Col. (Dr.) William Brian Perry, team leader, and Col. (Dr.) Randy Brown, Air National Guard.

"Pakistan is on the front line of the war on terrorism and to provide them with trauma expertise to help with this fight is a great accomplishment," said Colonel Perry, who also serves as the DIMO medical director.

"What we're doing is not so much providing new information to these particular doctors, but providing them a tool to train many more physicians in their country," Colonel Perry said.

DIMO implemented the Surgical Trauma Response Techniques course two years ago and since then, STRT has been taught in Kabul, Afghanistan; Pune and New Delhi, India and T'Bilisi, Georgia.

The course focuses on surgery in light of newer medical techniques as a result of the most recent events in Iraq.

"The course covers advanced surgery for the care of trauma patients either from natural disasters or from war. We deliver this in the train-the- trainer format so they can use this course locally," Colonel Perry said.

Captain Alley, a general surgeon and first-time team member, taught some of the clinical sections including head trauma, cardiothoracic trauma, pancreatic and duodenal trauma.

"I think the STRT course plays a valuable role as a 'refresher' for many surgeons who may not see traumatic injuries on a daily basis," said Captain Alley.

"Teaching topics outside my particular specialty, like head and face trauma, stretches me and helps me to stay fresh on these topics," he said.

"These professional interactions, through DIMO and other organizations, help to foster goodwill between the armed forces of our two countries. Our whole team was impressed with the kindness and graciousness of our Pakistani hosts," said Captain Alley.

It was also Captain Stuart's first time on the team. As the chief resident of orthopedics, he taught orthopedic trauma and hands-on exercises.

Excited about his experience, Captain Stuart said it was an educational experience, not only for the host nation doctors, but for him, as well.

"It was a great opportunity to share some of the things I've learned at Wilford Hall, as well as learn from their experiences," said Captain Stuart.

DIMO conducts 10 to 15 various medical courses around the world yearly. Last year, 447 students from 24 different countries were trained.

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