NATO medical professionals visit Bondsteel, attend conference

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Capt. Louis P. Hawkins, officer-in-charge, F Company, 2/238th Aviation (Medical Evacuation), Multinational Battle Group East, addresses a group of doctors from throughout NATO during a medical conference held at Camp Bondsteel, Sept. 4. The conference is designed to promote growth throughout the entire medical community by sharing ideas. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Brian J. Holloran, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

Lt. Col. Michael D. Payne, flight surgeon, Multinational Battle Group East and a member of the Arkansas National Guard, gives a group of multinational doctors a tour of the medical clinic at Camp Bondsteel, Sept. 4. The tour was part of a conference held to introduce members of the multinational medical staff to each other. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Brian J. Holloran, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

Capt. Louis P. Hawkins, officer-in-charge, F Company,2/238th Aviation (Medical Evacuation), Multinational Battle Group East, addresses a group of doctors from throughout NATO during a medical conference held at Camp Bondsteel, Sept. 4. The conference is designed to promote growth throughout the entire medical community by sharing ideas. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Brian J. Holloran, 130th Public Affairs Detachment, Connecticut National Guard)

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September 23, 2010
Pfc. Brian J. Holloran, 130th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – Medical professionals from throughout NATO gathered here for the Joint Medical Advisory Conference, Sept. 4.

The conference is held at least once per year in an effort to assess changes in the medical mission and keep the NATO medical community in close communication.

“Conferences like this allow the medical professionals to discuss medical capabilities, asses any changes that have occurred since the last one and to decide on the best way to serve the soldiers we are here to help,” said Col. Susan Cunnup, commander, Task Force Medical Falcon, Multinational Battle Group East.

The conference began with a tour of the Camp Bondsteel medical clinic and its separate sections, as well as a description of what each section is capable of.

“The tour was just a way to familiarize the visiting doctors with our capabilities and to let them see how we do things here,” said Lt. Col. Michael D. Payne, flight surgeon, Task Force Medical Falcon, and a member of the Arkansas National Guard.

Following the tour, the medical professionals were shown the different ambulances used by the U.S. contingent at Camp Bondsteel.

“We have three different types of ambulances here on (Camp) Bondsteel,” said Capt. Louis P. Hawkins, officer-in-charge, Company F 2/238th Aviation (Medical Evacuation), Multinational Battle Group East and a member of the Arkansas National Guard. “We have the (UH-60) Blackhawk, for air evacuations and two different types of land ambulances.”

After the tours and static displays, the professionals had lunch at the dining facility before giving presentations about their areas of responsibility and their facilities, and to discuss concerns and changes in medicine.

“We discussed dentistry and how it is currently changing, as well as how to best provide medical attention for dental emergencies,” said Col. Cunnup, a member of the Army Reserve from Mars, Pa. “We also discussed the change in NATO medevac plans, as now only U.S. forces will be providing medevac rescue for all of KFOR forces throughout Kosovo.”
The conference was a success, and this year’s host was pleased with the results.

“I am delighted to say that over 30 nations were represented this year, including a few nations that have never participated in the past, such as Hungary and the Swiss,” said Col. Cunnup. “All in all, there were over 50 professionals here which is a great turnout and a good sign that soldiers in Kosovo will be in good hands for some time to come.”