JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Airmen from the 79th Medical Wing kept operations at Malcolm Grow Medical Center emergency department running during a six-day blizzard, which accumulated more than 30 inches of snow in the National Capital Region, during the second week of February 2010.
The 779th Medical Group at MGMC had their emergency department open throughout the blizzard. It takes approximately 12 departments to be minimally manned with at least one person staffing 24-hours a day to make an emergency room run. The pharmacy, nutritional medicine, radiology, laboratory, operating room, respiratory technicians, housekeeping, inpatient ward personnel, and an intensive care unit staff are all necessary to keep the emergency room operational.
"We saw over 200 patients during the blizzard, and even as we watched the snow continue to fall, we knew that we had a greater mission to continue," said Maj. Shannon Dawson, 779th Medical Operations Squadron emergency department element leader.
"There were a wide variety of problems, everything from everyday medication refill needs to blizzard related injuries, chest pains and broken bones," she said. Even when the base shuts down, the emergency department and supporting roles still have an obligation to care for patients.
The ambulances faced a troublesome time getting around, but with the help of the 316th Civil Engineer Squadron plow team, they were able to successfully transfer the patients.
The week was full of unsung heroes, many of which pulled more than 12 hour shifts. A lot of personnel, even if they lived on base, brought clothes, food and shower items to keep in the hospital in order to be on time for their shift.
"We were really thankful that many commanders from around Joint Base Andrews came to the hospital to check on us and make sure we were doing ok," said 2nd Lt. Natalie Korona, 779th Medical Operations Squadron clinical nurse, who worked during the blizzard week.
The 579th Medical Group at Bolling Air Force Base, Washington D.C., also provided emergency services by keeping their ambulances running throughout the week. "On Tuesday, while other non-hospital medical treatment facilities were closed, the 579 MDG brought in some medical personnel to see over 60 patients before the next big storm hit," said Col. Roseanne Warner, 579 MDG commander. "Not all the patients were enrolled at Bolling, but we made sure they could get the much needed medication refills and appointments they needed."
All in all, the 79 MDW proved to be truly among the best when putting service before self, even when tested with the worst of weather conditions.