Airmen assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Wing augmented the staff of Centerpoint Health at the Community Building Institute in Middletown, Ohio, to help with drive-thru coronavirus testing of the local community.
The airmen worked alongside Ohio Army National Guard medics from the 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and the 285th Medical Company. Teamed up in groups of two, they were in charge of verifying patient information, performing nasal swab COVID-19 testing and properly packaging and storing the testing specimens. The guardsmen partnered with Centerpoint Health personnel who were in charge of facilitating the drive-thru testing event and getting patients checked in.
Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Sarah Berzes-Vaughn, the superintendent of Dental Services in the 178th Medical Group, served as the squad team lead and helped facilitate the community testing while overseeing the guardsmen involved in the effort. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christina Pumphrey, a medical technician assigned to the 178th Medical Group, Air Force Staff Sgt. Luis Morales, a dental technician assigned to the 178th Medical Group, and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Diane Broadnax, a medical technician assigned to the 123rd Air Control Squadron, verified patient information and performed the COVID-19 nasal swab tests.
"The community members check in with Centerpoint Health, and they are given a bag and lab requisition form," Berzes-Vaughn said. "Once they get to the testing pod, they'll be swabbed in each nostril, and then the swab goes into the reagent. Then we'll make sure the patient identifiers are on the sample and properly stored until they are ready to be sent to the lab."
On June 11, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that anyone in Ohio could receive a coronavirus test, even if they were low-risk or not showing symptoms. Recent data showed an upward trend in cases in southwest Ohio, and this prompted the creation of pop up testing sites statewide. With the increased demand for individuals seeking a test, the Guard members were able to support to their fellow Ohioans.
"[The testing] is going to be able to save lives by being able to do contact tracing," Berzes-Vaughn said. "It's really important for us to be able to help out our community."
"It's been a great opportunity to be out in the community and talking to patients that come through the drive-thru for testing," Morales said. "I think it’s important for us to come out here and help out the community in a time of need."
It's important for the National Guard to be out in the community. "Coming out here and helping out lets them know that we are here to help our state and our country in times of need," she said. "Being able to give back is the reason why I joined the Guard. I am thankful for this opportunity to help out in any way that I can."
(Air Force Staff Sgt. Amber Mullen is assigned to the 178th Wing.)
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