Behind the Microscope: Lab Specialist Joins Frontline of Military Medicine at BJACH

FORT POLK, La. — Pfc. Carlos Ramirez wanted a career in medicine, but the cost of a formal education was beyond his means. On Sept. 18, he graduated fro… FORT POLK, La. — Pfc. Carlos Ramirez wanted a career in medicine, but the cost of a formal education was beyond his means. On Sept. 18, he graduated from the Army’s Medical Laboratory Specialist Phase II program at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital, surrounded by the people who helped him reach that goal. “I always wanted to work in the medical field but couldn’t afford the schooling,” said Ramirez, a native of Downey, California. He considered joining the Army after high school and later decided to pursue both interests.

“It’s the best decision I could have made for myself and my family,” he said. Ramirez completed 26 weeks of classroom instruction at the Medical Education and Training Campus at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, followed by a 26-week clinical practicum at BJACH. His rotations included chemistry, hematology, blood banking and microbiology. Blood banking became one of his favorite areas. Ramirez learned to test blood types and antibodies to help ensure patients receive compatible blood when they need a transfusion. Microbiology presented his biggest challenge. Similar-looking organisms required additional testing to identify them accurately. During his five-week rotation in the section, he also helped