Air Force Culture and Language Center partners with Air Force Medical Service
Posted 7/27/2011
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by Kathryn Gustafson
Air Force Language, Region & Culture Office
7/27/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The ability to work effectively across cultures is important for all Airmen, but for the Air Force Medical Service International Health Specialist program, the ability is critical to mission success, AFMS officials said.
The IHS program was established in 2000 to develop medics with the foreign language proficiency and cross-cultural competence necessary to effectively address evolving global health issues in support of security cooperation.
To enhance the IHS training platform, AFMS officials are capitalizing on the Air Force Culture and Language Center's structured Language, Region and Culture programs to equip medics with the right skill sets to meet the challenges of international health engagements.
In April, AFCLC and AFMS officials signed a memorandum of understanding to coordinate and support efforts to ensure a cadre of health professionals with the necessary LRC capabilities to influence mission success, said Dan Henk, the AFCLC director.
"In the operational environments of the 21st century, military health professionals often find themselves serving at the 'tip of the spear,'" Henk said. "They are obliged to operate in circumstances that are culturally very complex, in which they must communicate effectively, build productive working relations and manage cross-cultural conflict. Such responsibilities require unprecedented capabilities and sophisticated preparation."
The importance of language proficiency and cross-cultural competence for the AFMS community became apparent after the Air Force's involvement in humanitarian efforts following a massive earthquake in Chile in February 2010.
According to the January 2011 Lessons Learned report, language barriers impeded efficient patient care.
"During the relief effort in Chile, we didn't have enough Spanish speakers on our Expeditionary Medical Support team," said Col. Mylene Huynh, the IHS program director. "Language was a barrier to otherwise interoperable medical capabilities between the AFMS and the Chilean military and civilian medical personnel, but our response in Chile was a lesson learned. Having language skills will help us to better communicate with partner nation military members and establish long, trusting working relationships, to truly become interoperable with our coalition partners."
"While it's true (that) we could have seen more patients had more Spanish speakers been deployed, being cognizant of the country's culture is just as important and often presents a barrier as well," said Maj. Juan Ramirez, the Medical Plans, Programs and Integration assistant chief and associate IHS officer. "Knowing the medical culture of the country you're in is profoundly important. We have to take care that our efforts don't undermine that country's medical system. You have to be able to navigate your environment and not offend your counterparts, or you could have both figurative and literal doors closed in your face."
Culture education is one of the top priorities for new IHS professionals, Huynh said.
At the recent IHS Orientation in Washington, D.C., Dr. Lauren Mackenzie, AFCLC's professor of cross-cultural communication, delivered a course to a class of more than 20 new IHS professionals.
"The participants loved it," Huynh said. "In fact, in their evaluations of the orientation, they specifically asked for more culture training."
AFMS and IHS officials are now collaborating to better align the IHS qualifications with new culture courses and language programs.
For example, this summer, AFMS officials will send 39 Language-Enabled Airman Program participants through AFCLC's Language Intensive Training Events, a significant increase from the five attendees last summer.
Second Lt. Andrew J. Groberg, a medical student from the Uniformed Services University, who traveled to Beijing last year, said he learned a lot about the Chinese and their culture during his time abroad.
"All patients have unique backgrounds and environments, and my exposure to Chinese culture helped me to better relate to Chinese patients and become more aware of their cultural differences," Groberg said.
LEAP is a language training, sustainment and enhancement program that builds upon current foreign language capabilities and affords Airmen from all backgrounds the opportunity to maintain their skills and participate in LITEs every few years.
LEAP applications for active-duty officers and graduating ROTC and Air Force Academy cadets are available and will be accepted from now until Sept. 5. The LEAP selection board will meet Sept. 14 and 15.
Applicants must be commissioned officers in the Air Force or cadets scheduled to graduate during the next academic year. Applicants also must possess foreign language proficiency in a strategic language, have demonstrated scholastic achievement and have exceptional military performance.
For LEAP application information and requirements, visit www.culture.af.edu/leap.
For more information about AFCLC, part of Air University's Spaatz Center at Maxwell Air Force
Base, Ala., visit the website at www.culture.af.mil, e-mail afclc.pa@maxwell.af.mil or call 334-953-7729.
(Jodi Jordan, of the Air Force Culture and Language Center, contributed to this story.) |
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