F E AT U R E
Providing Defense Support 56th Medical Group helps ease hospital shortages
BY SENIOR AIRMAN PHYLLIS JIMENEZ 56 FW/PA
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ince the start of the global pandemic that introduced COVID-19 to the world, airmen assigned to the 56th Medical Group have participated in six missions to combat the disease. The most recent mission took place during a monthlong assignment that began in February. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent requests for assistance on behalf of hospitals that were suffering from staffing shortages and patient overcrowding due to COVID-19. In response, Air Force medical teams consisting of doctors, nurses, and technicians from several bases provided defense support for civil authority across the country. “It’s not common for military medical personnel to work with civilians in this capacity,” says U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Rony Casta- U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Deundre Bryant, right, a medical adneda-Zamora, 56th Operational ministrator, checks up on Tech Sgt. Rony Castaneda-ZamoReadiness Squadron flight oper- ra, a medical technician, while supporting the COVID-19 response operations at University of Rochester Medical ational medical technician. “I’ve Center, Rochester, New York. been in (the Air Force) 12 years, and this is the first time I’ve ever for sure.” gotten this kind of tasking. It was very unique Members from the 56th MDG traveled to hospitals in New York, Connecticut and Maine to assist staff and front-line workers. Although each hospital’s needs and operations varied by location, the overall objective remained the same across the board. “The mission wasn’t only taking care of COVID patients; it was supporting the medical staff,” says Air Force Col. Colleen Frohling, 56th MDG chief nurse. “The hospital was overwhelmed, so our task U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Rony Castaneda-Zamora, a medical was to embed ourselves within the technician assigned to a military medical team, hands a units and take care of patients.” patient a pillow while supporting the COVID-19 response Despite swapping their camoperations at University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York. ouflage and boots for scrubs and
The U.S. Air Force medical team holds an award ceremony after supporting the COVID-19 response operations at University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York. (Spc. Khalan Moore/U.S. Army Photographer)
sneakers, these military medical professionals continued to embody the Air Force’s core values: “Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence in All We Do.” Castaneda-Zamora recalled the praise they received from the civilian nurses for their ability to adapt and tackle challenges. “Forty-eight hours after taking the hospital’s training, we were taking our own patients,” Castaneda-Zamora says. “They told us that it was unbelievable how we got our first patients quickly without their help and opened up a whole floor to care for patients.” Not only did this mission help relieve hospitals in need, but it also provided military and civilian health professionals the opportunity to learn from one another while combating COVID-19 and its effects on patients and the medical community. “We take an oath to defend the citizens of the United States from all enemies foreign and domestic,” Frohling says. “COVID-19 is a domestic enemy. Working alongside the people that we have taken an oath to support and defend in order to care for patients was a gift.” Since returning from the assignment, it is back to business at the 56th MDG, where staff provides health care, promotes safety and wellness, and ensures military readiness. JULY/AUGUST 2022 |
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