Barksdale medics get hands-on training at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center – ktbs.com

Barksdale medics get hands-on training at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center  ktbs.com

SHREVEPORT, La. — About 30 members of the Barksdale Air Force Base medic staff recently crossed the Red River for specialized, hands-on training at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in SHREVEPORT, La. — About 30 members of the Barksdale Air Force Base medic staff recently crossed the Red River for specialized, hands-on training at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport. The training is part of a partnership between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs designed to give military medic personnel additional experience with critical care procedures. For BAFB Air Force TSgt. Katelin Munguia, who has served in the Air Force for nine years, the training provided an opportunity to sharpen skills that could be needed in a field setting.

“Not every facility, not every Air Force facility has the capabilities that inpatient facilities have,” Munguia said. “Having the opportunity to learn from these individuals that have this experience helps us.” The training focused on procedures including establishing airways and intubation. Medics and airmen practiced the techniques repeatedly under the guidance of Overton Brooks VA surgeon Dr. Richard Quincy and Chief Nurse Anesthetist Crystal Guy. Quincy said repetition is an important part of helping medical personnel perform critical procedures when they are under pressure. “Repetition is key to that,” Quincy said. “While they're physically doing it,