Team Malmstrom shows appreciation for nurses, technicians

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Marcus McDonald
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  National Nurse/Technician Appreciation Week 2009 kicked off May 6 and continues through May 12. The week-long observance is devoted to highlighting the diverse ways in which nurses and nurse technicians are working to improve health every day.

Tech. Sgt. Lisa Harelson, 341 Medical Operations Squadron Maternal Child Flight NCO in charge, said the 341st Medical Group and the rest of Team Malmstrom is showing its appreciation for the largest health care profession though several activities.

"The week kicked off with the traditional reading and signing of the [National Nurse Tech Appreciation Week] proclamation," she said. "We also had fun events for the nursing staff to get better acquainted with each other including trivia questions, massages, and tokens of appreciation to the staff. They'll also receive nice cards of appreciation from Loy Elementary School students."

Lt. Col. Lourie Moore, chief nurse and chief of education and training for the 341 MDG, said she was very proud of Malmstrom's nurses and technicians.

"They're truly invaluable members of the health care team," she said.

"We have a variety of personnel, to include active-duty, civilian, and contract-registered nurses and licensed practical nurses," the colonel said. "In addition to the clinical nurses, some of them are advanced practice nurses, namely the nurse practitioners working in pediatrics, women's health and family practice. With a master's degree and further education, advanced practice nurses compliment the medical staff in offering quality, compassionate care for all Malmstrom beneficiaries."

One of those nurse practitioners working in pediatrics is Maj. Renee Vincent, who said being a nurse in today's military is quite rewarding.

"I have always enjoyed working with military families," the major said. "There is reward in each day of military service; some days you just have to dig a little deeper to find the silver lining that weaves us all together, not just as a military member but as a military family. It's an honor to be a military medic."

Major Vincent is the 341st Missile Wing's pediatric advisor, commander of the 341st Medical Operations Squadron's Maternal Child Flight, and a certified pediatric nurse practitioner for the 341st Medical Group. The major said learning lessons from others helped make her who she is today.

"What I've liked most is the knowledge that has been gained from each assignment and differing positions to develop my skills to this day," she said.

Major Vincent discussed her fondest memory of being a nurse.

"Recently, I took part in a humanitarian assignment with the United States Military Group El Salvador, American Embassy San Salvador and the Department of Defense," she said. "I was the solo pediatric provider on a nine military-member medic team with the mission to provide medical care and education for three differing indigent villages in El Salvador.

"We cared for more than 9,000 patients in nine days," the major said. "We worked long hours in poor conditions relying on basic medic tools and knowledge ... no bells and whistles of modern medical technology. It was a true display of teamwork and an unmatched medical experience."

Airman 1st Class Michael Canfield said he enjoys being a medical technician at the pediatric clinic.

"I get a lot of experience when children are sick, injured or just having problems," the Airman explained. "I feel that it will make me a better father when the time comes when I have children of my own."

Learning from others is the most rewarding aspect of being a nurse technician, Airman Canfield said.

"There's a wealth of knowledge around me," he said. "I learn from the valuable lessons people have learned throughout their careers."

Airman Canfield said his initial training in being a nurse technician benefited him in yet another way - marriage.

"I met my wife when I was learning the trade," he said. "We were in the same class at Sheppard Air Force Base and were always dueling for the top score on tests. Somehow we turned a battle into a relationship."

Sergeant Harelson stressed the importance of recognizing both nurses and nurse technicians for what they do for Team Malmstrom throughout the year.

"They are an integral part of the medical support team and always have direct interaction with all patients," she said. "They provide education, medical care and are the first line of defense in gathering information that needs to be passed to the patient's provider and team to give the best care possible."

The 341st MDG has a total of 21 technicians and 24 nurses serving approximately 10,000 beneficiaries at Malmstrom.