Providing Defense Support

56th Medical Group helps ease hospital shortages

BY SENIOR AIRMAN PHYLLIS JIMENEZ

56 FW/PA

Since 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.

Th e most recent mission took place during a monthlong assignment that began in February.

Th e Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent requests for assistance on behalf of hospitals that were suff ering from staffi ng 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 Castaneda-Zamora, 56th Operational Readiness Squadron fl ight operational medical technician. “I’ve been in (the Air Force) 12 years, and this is the fi rst time I’ve ever gotten this kind of tasking. It was very unique for sure.”

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. “Th e 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. “Th e hospital was overwhelmed, so our task was to embed ourselves within the units and take care of patients.” Despite swapping their camoufl age and boots for scrubs and

Agency (FEMA) sent requests for assistance on behalf of hospitals that were suff ering from staffi ng shortages and patient overcrowd-

In response, Air Force medical teams consisting of doctors, nurses, and technicians from several bases sneakers, these military medical professionals provided defense support for civil continued to embody the Air Force’s core values: “Integrity First, Service Before Self and

“It’s not common for military Excellence in All We Do.” Castaneda-Zamomedical personnel to work with ra recalled the praise they received from the civilians in this capacity,” says U.S. civilian nurses for their ability to adapt and Air Force Tech Sgt. Rony Casta- U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Deundre Bryant, right, a medical ad- tackle challenges. neda-Zamora, 56th Operational ministrator, checks up on Tech Sgt. Rony Castaneda-Zamo- “Forty-eight hours aft er taking the hos-ra, a medical technician, while supporting the COVID-19 response operations at University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York. pital’s training, we were taking our own patients,” Castaneda-Zamora says. “Th ey told us that it was unbelievable how we got our fi rst patients quickly without their help and gotten this kind of tasking. It was very unique opened up a whole fl oor to care for patients.” to hospitals in New York, Con- Not only did this mission help relieve hosnecticut and Maine to assist staff pitals in need, but it also provided military and front-line workers. Although and civilian health professionals the opportueach hospital’s needs and opera- nity to learn from one another while combattions varied by location, the over- ing COVID-19 and its eff ects on patients and all objective remained the same the medical community. across the board. “We take an oath to defend the citizens of the United States from all enemies foreign ing care of COVID patients; it was and domestic,” Frohling says. “COVID-19 supporting the medical staff ,” says is a domestic enemy. Working alongside the Air Force Col. Colleen Frohling, people that we have taken an oath to support 56th MDG chief nurse. “Th e hos- and defend in order to care for patients was

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Rony Castaneda-Zamora, a medical technician assigned to a military medical team, hands a pital was overwhelmed, so our task was to embed ourselves within the a gift .” Since returning from the assignment, it is patient a pillow while supporting the COVID-19 response back to business at the 56th MDG, where staff operations at University of Rochester Medical Center, provides health care, promotes safety and well-

Rochester, New York. ness, and ensures military readiness.

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)