VCURES-U.S. Special Forces News:

The collaboration between VCURES and the U.S. Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) training program to assist the Special Forces in training combat medics continues to flourish. To date four classes have completed their clinical rotations at the VCU Medical Center .

During the September rotation, the SOCM students were exposed to tropical storm Gaston and the significant Richmond flooding that took place. Students spend half of their time on Emergency Medical Services rotation in the Richmond area. During the day of the flood, SSGT Fancis Yatco, once of the SOCM students on rotation, was instrumental in saving the lives of two Richmond area residents and two Henrico County fireman who were involved in trying to rescue the Richmond residents. For this effort, SSGT Yatco was awarded the Army's Achievement Medal!

In November a group of VCURES faculty from the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Anesthesiology were able to spend two days at the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center (JSOMTC) at Ft. Bragg . The purpose of the trip was to gain additional insight into the rigors of the training that the medics undergo both before and after their clinical rotation as well as how important the clinical rotation is.

“The emergency medical training that these young heroes undergo is simply unparallel.” states VCURES fellow, Dr. Rob Stalling who is Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at VCU. Dr. Zachary Malichias who is a VCURES fellow and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine says “Even as emergency physicians, I doubt we would have anymore to offer to the wounded in the field than these highly trained professionals”. As a part of this trip, Dr. Kevin Ward, VCURES Associate Director, was invited to be the graduation speaker for a class of Special Operation Combat Medics many of whom had rotated at the VCU Medical Center site. “It was definitely one of the greatest honors of my life.” says Dr. Ward. Adds Dr. Ward, “It is one of my most sincere wishes that the civilian medical community understand the vital role it can play in preparing these young men to save American lives. We also must be cognizant that it is because of what they do that allows us to help improve the lives of others as well.”

During the last Special Forces rotation at VCU in November, the SOCM students and instructors provided a live mock medical extraction exercise for the VCU medical community. This outdoors demonstration provided a detail, up-close, and very realistic example of the care Special Operations Combat Medics might have to provide to a wounded member of his unit under adverse conditions. The event was covered by a local NBC affiliate, radio station, and the VCU press and was attended by over 100 VCU faculty and students. Dr. Stein Bronksy who is a chief resident in the VCU Department of Emergency Medicine helped arrange the demonstration and stated that “Although this exercise provided great insight to civilians, it is still difficult to fathom the horrific circumstances most of these medics will operate under in the very near future. It simply an honor to participate in their training”.

Lastly, Dr. Francis Chuidian helped arrange a special treat for both SOCM students and instructors who stayed in Richmond during Thanksgiving. Dr. Chuidian who is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine was able to arrange for these individuals and their families to attend the famous Thanksgiving Day brunch at Richmond's highly acclaimed Jefferson Hotel. A special thanks to Dr. Chuidian and the Jefferson Hotel!

For more information contact Dr. Kevin Ward at krward@vcu.edu