56th Medical Group Airmen provide medical support in Haiti

by Army Spc. Jessica M. Lopez
Task Force Public Affairs

7/14/2010 - MANDRIN, Haiti (AFNS) -- Airmen with the 56th Medical Group at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., provided general medical health care at the U.S. Army South New Horizons-Haiti 2010 Task Force Kout Men Ennery medical assistance site here June 13.

New Horizons officials, in partnership with officials from the government of Haiti, are conducting various medical, dental and engineering missions for people in Gonaives, Haiti.

"We have a medical team with nine providers," said Col. Tom Steinbrunner, the deputy commander of the 56th Medical Group.

The medical team is providing general medicine, optometry and dental support.

Task Force Kout Men was asked by Haitian officials to provide health care to this area where they normally do not have access to adequate primary care, Colonel Steinbrunner said. "This area has a very small clinic that does not have the ability to meet the needs of the patients here.

"This is a part if the country that is not reached much by (non-governmental organizations)," Colonel Steinbrunner said.

In addition to providing medical care to the people of Haiti, New Horizons also provides training in a real-world environment for servicemembers.

For the majority of the team, it's their first deployment; very few have been on a humanitarian mission, Colonel Steinbrunner said. "This is a great opportunity for them to learn the deployed environment and also be able to provide care outside of the country."

"I am getting lots of hands-on experience," said Airman Michael Palmer, a medical services apprentice with the 56th Medical Operations Squadron. "Some of the things we learned in the clinic were a little bit improvised here in the field.

"I did an ear irrigation, and I had to modify some of the equipment," Airman Palmer said. "We don't have the same equipment out here as we do back in the clinic. We kind of make do with what we have and make things work.

"Everyone is working well together," Airman Palmer said. "The providers take their time and are excellent to work with."

The 56th Medical Group is scheduled to operate here through July 21.