{"id":231711,"date":"2024-07-22T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=231711"},"modified":"2024-07-22T11:23:44","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T11:23:44","slug":"from-engineering-brazil-and-the-marines-to-an-operating-room-in-chad-the-journey-of-three-u-s-army-reserve-medical-soldiers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=231711","title":{"rendered":"From engineering, Brazil and the Marines to an operating room in Chad: The journey of three U.S. Army Reserve medical Soldiers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Back to\u00a0U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa<\/a><\/p>\n

N\u2019Djamena, CHAD \u2013 How does a mechanical engineer, a former Marine and a Brazilian immigrant find themselves together in an operating room in N\u2019Djamena, Chad conducting a U.S. Army Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX)?<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Foley, a general surgeon (66J), assigned to 402nd Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment, U.S. Army Reserve, maintains hemostasis with the help of a Chadian Armed Forces [Forces Arm\u00e9es Tchadiennes] medical professional while performing a ventral hernia repair surgery during the Medical Readiness Exercise in N\u2019Djamena, Chad, June 12, 2024. MEDREX is a medical readiness exercise program, planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that allow military health professionals from the U.S. and their African partners to exchange medical practices, procedures and techniques that build and strengthen treatment capabilities, resulting in lasting relationships between the partners. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hopper)
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For U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Foley, Maj. David Macdonald and Sgt. Laysa Nogueira, the U.S. Army Reserve is the answer. Assigned to the 402nd Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment (FRSD), they are currently conducting their two weeks of annual training at a U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) organized MEDREX in N\u2019Djamena, Chad.<\/p>\n

Often many go through life wondering what they can be, or what they should be as if there is a singular definitive answer to this profound question. Here in N\u2019Djamena, the medical readiness exercise is one of several partner-led, U.S. enabled commitments to medical readiness across the African continent. During this MEDREX these individuals being all they can be while working with Chadian military surgical partners split between two operating rooms at the Garnison Hospital.<\/p>\n

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\n During the initial phase of a surgical procedure to remove infected tibial hardware U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Foley, a general trauma surgeon (61J) assigned to the 402 Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment (FRSD), center, uses a electrocautery device while working with Chadian Armed Force [Forces Arm\u00e9es Tchadiennes] medical personal during the Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) in N’Djamena, Chad, June 19, 2024. MEDREX is a medical readiness exercise program, planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that allow military health professionals from the U.S. and their African partners to exchange medical practices, procedures and techniques that build and strengthen treatment capabilities, resulting in lasting relationships between the partners. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Edward McBride)
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Joining the Army and being a surgeon were independent childhood dreams of Lt. Col. Charles Foley. In middle school, he dismissed joining the armed services due to poor eyesight. Although wanting to be a fighter pilot and not being able to, he also dismissed the Army for fear of becoming a liability if he lost his glasses.<\/p>\n

By high school he thought \u201ccollege plus another four years of medical school plus residency just did not seem like something I wanted to do,\u201d so he dismissed becoming a surgeon too. He eventually started his professional career as a mechanical engineer working for Otis Elevator company.<\/p>\n

Foley eventually made the transition to surgeon, after being inspired by a civil aviation friend who was also a plastic surgeon.<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Maj. David MacDonald, a certified registered nurse anesthetist (66F), and Maj. Brett Sweeney, an emergency physician (62A), discuss the complex orthopedics procedure that is being performed by a surgical team of American and Chadian orthopedic specialists. The surgical team surgically intervene on a debilitating injury with the potential for improved function and quality of life during the Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) in N\u2019Djamena, Chad, June 18, 2024. MEDREX is a medical readiness exercise program, planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that allow military health professionals from the U.S. and their African partners to exchange medical practices, procedures and techniques that build and strengthen treatment capabilities, resulting in lasting relationships between the partners. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hopper)
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\u201cAfter going to the library looking up reconstructive surgery you see reconstructive plastic surgery came out of World War I. It was absolutely riveting to see what people had done with war injuries and how they did reconstruction on World War I soldiers then transition to World War II reconstruction and Vietnam. I found that unbelievably captivating. It is human engineering for me,\u201d Foley said.<\/p>\n

Although still interested in joining the military, Foley\u2019s initial attempts to join were unsuccessful; neither the Army or Navy were looking for plastic surgeons. It would be over ten years before he got the opportunity to join the Army Reserve.<\/p>\n

He directly attributes his ability to live out his dream to his wife, Maj.(R) Sheila Foley, and their support system. \u201cShe was the one who encouraged me to consider joining the Army when I told her I\u2019d always wanted to join,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

His wife arranged an appointment with a recruiter. Still, he had a two-year administrative wait prior to being sworn into service.<\/p>\n

\u201cI found out about [forward] surgical teams when I was doing some research. I’m like FST, oh yeah that\u2019s totally my thing, 100%. Well, it also goes back to me being an adrenaline junkie. You know, riding motorcycles, flying airplanes, etc. The FST is like special forces for doctors,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n

Instead of joining a forward surgical team, he was assigned to a field hospital. It was during this time the world experienced the COVID pandemic, and Foley found himself in New York treating patients. It was during his service in New York that eventually led to him joining a forward surgical team.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason I got the position in the FST was because one of the commanders in NYC gained confidence in my abilities. I was sitting around at a coffee table one day about waiting to join a FST, which is why I really joined the Army…\u201d.<\/p>\n

Months later, that same Commander called Foley with an offer for a position with the 402nd FRSD, but he had to submit his paperwork that night. \u201cYou bet I got my paperwork in that night,\u201d Foley said.<\/p>\n

Lt. Col. Foley, now a U.S. Army general trauma surgeon (61J) said, \u201cI sat here [in Chad] the day before and looked out over the river and saw the people out farming and fishing and thought, what an honor and privilege for me to be over here. How many people can say they went to Chad, or Africa, with the Army and operated to support the people there. Does it get better than that? For me no, it\u2019s awesome\u201d.<\/p>\n

Foley isn\u2019t the only one in the operating room at the Garnison Hospital who wanted to join a forward surgical team.<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Maj. David Macdonald, a nurse anesthetist (66F) assigned to the 402 Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment (FRSD), center, checks the amount of local anesthetic in the syringe to prior to administering a spinal anesthetic during the Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) in N’Djamena, Chad, June 19, 2024. MEDREX is a medical readiness exercise program, planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that allow military health professionals from the U.S. and their African partners to exchange medical practices, procedures and techniques that build and strengthen treatment capabilities, resulting in lasting relationships between the partners. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Edward McBride)
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When Maj. David MacDonald, a nurse anesthetist (66F), was asked why an FRSD over a field hospital unit he said, \u201cIn a field hospital there is structure like a real OR, intensive care unit, radiology, and pharmacy it\u2019s like a giant hospital in an FRSD it generally you and your 20 or maybe 10 people depending where you\u2019re at that\u2019s your medical assets, so you do have to do a lot more cross training in the FRSD. You have to know what everybody does in the FRSD. The expectations are a little different, you don\u2019t have all the same supplies or equipment. It\u2019s a lot more fun in an FRSD\u201d.<\/p>\n

Prior to the Army and healthcare, Macdonald was a Marine infantry assaultman from a long lineage of U.S. service members. \u201cI really liked the movie Full Metal Jacket, so my uncle, who was a marine, convinced me to join the Marines\u201d.<\/p>\n

Upon completion of his enlisted service, Macdonald started college but was unsure of what to major in. A Marine friend convinced him to take a nursing class with him, and he found his calling. However, it was during his clinical rounds that he found his specific calling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI shadowed the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in the hospital, and I just love what they did. A lot of independent decisions and a lot of different medication stuff. It was a lot more technical,\u201d Macdonald stated.<\/p>\n

Upon completing his program of study Macdonald\u2019s initial service preference was the U.S. Navy Reserve. The Marines don\u2019t have healthcare positions but joining the Navy would allow him to give back to the Marines by taking care of Marines.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the Navy Reserve did not have any CRNA slots available; however, the Army did.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a good decision and I\u2019m glad I went Army,\u201d Macdonald said.<\/p>\n

Nogueira, born in Brazil, immigrated to the U.S. with her family as a child. By the time she graduated high school, she was on a waiting list for citizenship with an anticipated 10-year wait.<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Sgt. Laysa Nogueira, an operating room specialist (68D), assigned to the 402 Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment (FRSD), cleans the surgical site in preparation for dressings during the Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) in N’Djamena, Chad, June 17, 2024. MEDREX is a medical readiness exercise program, planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that allow military health professionals from the U.S. and their African partners to exchange medical practices, procedures and techniques that build and strengthen treatment capabilities, resulting in lasting relationships between the partners. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Edward McBride)
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She entered the workforce working as a medical office receptionist. While at work one day a Spanish client arrived to obtain medical records. The client, who had been a doctor in Spain, entered the office in a U.S. Army uniform. He told Nogueira and a doctor at the clinic about the Army program that let him obtain his citizenship and medical credentialing for the U.S.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sparked my interest in the Army, but I wasn\u2019t a doctor nor nurse so I didn\u2019t think I could do it. Then I thought maybe, I\u2019d go become a healthcare provider so one day I could possibly be in the army, get my citizenship, and give back,\u201d Nogueira said.<\/p>\n

After careful consideration and research Nogueira discovered the program wasn\u2019t exclusive to healthcare, but also had linguistic opportunities for Portuguese speakers. A few days later, a friend in the U.S. Air Force took Nogueira to a U.S. Army Reserve recruiter.<\/p>\n

She also had concerns about life as a woman in the Army and how she\u2019d be treated since she was not yet a U.S. citizen.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt first I thought the Army would be a very \u2018macho\u2019 place, [but] over time [I] found the Army to be an empowering place for women. It helped me push through gender barriers. It showed me that even as a woman you can be mentally and physically tough while using critical thinking skills to [accomplish] the mission,\u201d Nogueira said.<\/p>\n

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\n U.S. Army Sgt. Laysa Noguiera, a surgical tech, (68D), assigned to 402nd Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment (FRSD), U.S. Army Reserve, is shown assisting with the instrumentation needed for a wrist fracture surgery during the Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) in N\u2019Djamena, Chad, June 12, 2024. MEDREXs, planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), allow military health professionals from the U.S. and their African partners to exchange medical practices, procedures and techniques that build and strengthen treatment capabilities, resulting in lasting relationships between the partners. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Hopper)
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Now an operating room specialist (68D), Nogueira had zero formal medical skill or experience; however, from the skills and certifications obtained in her Army journey she has a new found ability to assist so many people.<\/p>\n

Although uniquely different paths, these three Citizen-Soldiers are working daily during this MEDREX not only perfecting their military readiness, but making positive change in the lives of Chadian citizens.<\/p>\n

Their stories outline the importance of connection, in each of their journeys someone entered their life and impacted their futures. This is not much different than what occurs during the medical readiness exercises.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love being in the Army. It took me, just a girl from Rio, and put me in an operating room and now I get to travel the world and I get to give back in my community. I get to come to places like this [Chad] and see a whole other side of healthcare that I\u2019ve never seen before.\u201d said Nogueira.<\/p>\n

MEDREX is a partner lead, U.S. enabled program, planned and executed by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), that allows military health professionals from the U.S. and African partners to exchange medical practices, procedures and techniques that build and strengthen treatment capabilities, resulting in lasting relationships between the partners.<\/p>\n

About SETAF-AF<\/strong><\/p>\n

SETAF-AF provides\u00a0<\/strong>U.S. Africa Command<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0U.S. Army Europe and Africa<\/a>\u00a0a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.<\/p>\n

Follow SETAF-AF on:<\/strong>\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0YouTube<\/a>,\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0&\u00a0DVIDS<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Back to\u00a0U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa N\u2019Djamena, CHAD \u2013 How does a mechanical engineer, a former Marine and a Brazilian immigrant find themselves together in an operating room in N\u2019Djamena, Chad conducting a U.S. Army Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX)? U.S. Army Lt. Col. Charles Foley, a general surgeon (66J), assigned to 402nd Forward […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":231713,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-231711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231711","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=231711"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231711\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":231720,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231711\/revisions\/231720"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/231713"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=231711"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=231711"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=231711"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}