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15th Medical Group team teaches Radford students about patient care

  • Published
  • By Don Robbins
  • Assistant Editor, Ho`okele
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Five Airmen from the 15th Medical Group at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam traveled to Radford High School on Nov. 29 to teach students how to provide medical care to a patient.

The activity provided students with real-life experience and training in the medical skills needed to effectively care for a patient.

A total of 35 students, who are studying health care as a potential career, participated in the training. During the session, they rotated through six stations including checking a patient's vital signs and providing adult CPR. The team also demonstrated obstetrics, wound care, emergency response and infant choking/CPR.

"I would just like to say how much we appreciate the 15th Medical Group at Hickam who has helped us over the past three years with training sessions here on campus and job shadow experiences at the clinic on base," said Cindy Mochida Schrock, career and technical education coordinator at Radford High School.

Senior Master Sgt. Michelle Rootes has organized the events to provide instruction to the students.

"The team that she brought to Radford on Thursday provided hands-on experience for our students and their expertise and interaction with our students was amazing," Schrock said.

"We're here to give the students an idea of what it means to be involved in health care," Rootes said.

She was joined by Master Sgt. Tikama Drummond, Staff Sgts. Samantha Thomas and Tiffany Salcedo and Airman 1st Class Christopher Bowlds, who all instructed the students in medical techniques.

"I spent most of my life being taught, but I also like to teach because it helps you understand your craft better," Bowlds said.

"I think it's broadening their horizons, so they can see if they want to go in the medical field or if it's not for them," Thomas said.

During one of the lessons, Radford 10th grade student Matthew Fiala learned from Drummond how to perform CPR on an infant with the use of a life-like plastic doll.

"It's nice that they're willing to show everybody this," said Fiala. "I eventually plan to work for the government in the CDC [Centers for Disease Control.] I read a book about viruses and became very interested," Fiala said. He added that his grandfather also worked in the medical field.

Drummond said she loved showing the students something new. "This instruction in the medical field gives them a quick-peek," she explained.

The students expressed gratitude to the Airmen for taking the time to visit with them personally.

"I like how they are so open with everything and explain it so we know what to do," said 11th grader Jhanella Capacia. She said she wants to join the Navy and work in the dental field.

The students' teacher, Tiffany Petersen of the health services pathway core program, agreed that the interaction with the Air Force medical team benefited the students immensely.

"They are able to take what they learn in the textbook and see it in a real-life situation. You can see the excitement on their faces," she said.