Army Medical Department - Army Strong Stories

First Blog Entry

Erica Chabalko — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:23:00 GMT

By: Erica Chabalko
I had heard about this sanctioned Army space for blogging, but only recently looked into what it had to offer. I have stepped back from posting on Facebook for two reasons. First, I find that I cannot concisely say something without sounding really negative - a blog would afford me the opportunity to elaborate on my thoughts. And secondly, Facebook has begun to annoy me with people giving their opinions on matters that I have strong opinions about. (I recognize this is...read more

Good for another 6 months

Kendall Mower — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:11:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
Even though I had worked at the Surgeon General's Office before, I had always taken the PT test with one of the dental clinics near by. This time I decided to do it with my unit. It was pretty cool the way the staff here does the PT test - a little different then other units I have been in. Because of the size of the staff, and the demanding schedules, they put out a list of days and times that the PT test is offered. You pick the day and take the test. Since...read more

What to wear?

Kendall Mower — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:06:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
I may reveal more about myself in this post then people want to know, but here goes. One of the reasons I love the Army is because it takes the guess work out of what to wear. Don't get me wrong, when required I can look presentable in civilian clothes. I understand what is fashionable to a degree (socks and sandals are bad)....I'm just lazy. I saw a survey from the bureau of Labor Statistics showing the past several years, and I was shocked at what was...read more

HHF event at UTSA Downtown Campus

Hector Maldonado — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:47:00 GMT

By: Hector Maldonado
I want to thank everybody that participated in todays event. As a Hispanic, it is great to see that there are organizations reaching out and mentoring our current and future leaders on the many opportunities available for education and career advancement. I am looking forward to keep teaching young students on the many paths that are available in the Army in the fields of Medicine and Engineering. ARMY STRONG!...read more

Leader, Counselor, Mentor

Hector Maldonado — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:59:00 GMT

By: Hector Maldonado
In my current assignment as a healthcare recruiter, I have had the unique position to interact with my community and directly share my life story with other people that that might follow in my foot steps. While visiting the universities throughout the state of Texas, I always enjoy the moment of when I am introducing the many opportunities in healthcare within the Army. When I share my Army Story I always get the response "I never knew in the Army that it is possible"....read more

Now That's Cool

Kendall Mower — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:37:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
I was burning up some 'use or lose' leave today, and I was inside my house. I heard a plane that sounded really loud and really close - so I went outside to see what it was. In the back of my mind I remembered that the space shuttle was being transfered to DC today to be put in the Smithsonian. As I went outside and looked up, the boeing 747 carrying the space shuttle (being escorted by a fighter jet) were going right over my house - Now that's cool! - too bad I...read more

Careful with the app

John Broyles — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 05:29:41 GMT

By: John Broyles
Why does it say my home city is missing when it doesn't ask for it. Makes me want to stick to my blog on AKO...read more

AMEDD officer at ILE

Charles Blake — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:31:00 GMT

By: Charles Blake
Hello, my name is Charles Blake, I’m attending CGSC-ILE at Fort Jackson with David. After reading his post and the questions, I realized that I had some of the same questions and wanted to find an online source to get answers as well; so I’d like to contribute. I’m a Physical Therapist, and very few of us are allowed to attend the Leavenworth course. That is fine by me, as I did not relish the thought of a one year PCS. After arriving here I am very happy with my choice...read more

Innovation in the Army?

Kendall Mower — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 17:07:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
You may have noticed that I am posting much less than I was before. The new job I am in is busy, fast-paced, but doesn't seem to lend as much to things to blog about - but I will look harder :) The directorate I am in focuses on strategy and innovation. In an effort to look for ideas out in the civilian world, the following article and video really peaked my interest. Thought it would be good for anyone regardless of job or background. The Real Leadership Lessons of...read more

Joining US Army Reserve

LUIS ORE — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:04:00 GMT

By: LUIS ORE
My name is Luis Ore. I was born in Trujillo Peru. I joined the US Army in 1997 as a Pharmacy Technician. When I finished my commitment I took advantage of the benefits provided by G.I. Bill and enrolled in college to pursue a BSN. After I achieved my goal I still got G.I. Bill benefits that is when I decided to continue my education at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Campus where I earned a Masters Degree in Public Health. I am tremendously greatful to the US Army. It was missing...read more

A lesson learned with dental implants

Kendall Mower — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:01:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
One of my colleagues showed me a case that he had worked on before our deployment - you can see the date on the model from June 2010. Radiographs from the same time. The patient was missing several teeth and you can see from the wax up what they planned to accomplish using implants. While we were deployed the case was continued. Implants were placed, but the dentist that was working on the case didn't like the position of the implants and after they...read more

BOLC Complete!

Michael Gilbert — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 05:39:00 GMT

By: Michael Gilbert
The time has come. The 4th and final week. The week started with a Monday morning drive to the FOB. The first day was occupied with weapons draw and then getting down to business. The platoons were split up and we started the final phase of training. The last week was to focus on the different levels of military care. Primarily Level 1,2 and 3. Level one being the care provided by docs and PAs at the front lines. Level two is the next level back...read more

Surgeon General's new focus

Kendall Mower — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:42:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
At the recent MHS Conference LTG Horoho layed out her vision for the future of Army Medicine. She spoke about her desire to affect a change in the health and well-being of all beneficiaries that are served by the Army. Her portion of the presentation begins at 1 hr 5 minutes into the video (link found here). Whether you are an AMEDD Soldier, or a beneficiary of AMEDD care, I encourage you to watch this video that lasts about 30 minutes. Her emphasis on...read more

A True American Hero

Kendall Mower — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:22:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
I came across this video while looking for some other information and I was inspired by this story. It's amazing to see how something tragic can be used to help others. It is this caliber of individual that makes our military great!...read more

AMEDD OBLC Week 3

Michael Gilbert — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:16:00 GMT

By: Michael Gilbert
Well week three is over. Just completed a wet, cold and soggy week at the FOB in Camp Bullis. All started as expected with an early ride to the Camp from the Hotel on Monday morning 0500. The plan was to head straight to the 9mm pistol range to get certified there and then on to the FOB. As luck would have it the range control would not let us start the firing range due to fog and rain so we had concurrent training that included litter carry technique and...read more

Serving to Heal, Honored to Serve

Kendall Mower — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:25:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
Serving to heal, Honored to serve is the new motto for the Army Medical Department (AMEDD). This captures our Surgeon General's vision of warrior care and how we should be focused. When you think about joining the Army, the medical care you receive may not be at the top of the list of reasons why you join. However when it comes time to utilize it for routine or emergency reasons you appreciate the organization that is out there making it happen...The Army Medical Department...read more

AMEDD OBLC Week 2

Michael Gilbert — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:04:00 GMT

By: Michael Gilbert
Week two is complete! As you know Monday was a holiday so no Army Training. I figured the Army would train everyday but the Cadre is made up of civilians who are retired Army and they had the day off. Good for us. Tuesday began 0400 and off to Ft. Sam we went. We arived and drew our wepons from the armory at 0530 and marched to the on post field training area and were taught to assemble and dissassemble our M16. Pretty easy stuff. MRE (meal ready to...read more

Made it to Monday

Michael Gilbert — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:42:00 GMT

By: Michael Gilbert
Well The first 4 days went well. Left Kentucky at 6 Am Thursday and arrived in San Antonio at around noon. Good flight. Found two other military lookalikes at the bagage carrosel and we shared a cab to Ft. Sam. We were all starting the first class together. After inprocessing for housing we made a quick switch in clothing from civilian to Army PT uniform. At that point we met at a predetermined location for inprocessing. Lots of paperwork and Hight...read more

Advice to the junior officer - additional duties

Kendall Mower — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:45:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
"Additional duties". It's a term that makes some people cringe. In the Army Medical Department (AMEDD), it means additional jobs you are given beyond patient care. It is something that you can hear a lot of discussion about, particularly from new officers. "If I am a ______, why do I also have to be in charge of _______" Many health care providers only want to treat patients, which I think is understandable. The only down-side...read more

MHS Conference

Kendall Mower — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:49:00 GMT

By: Kendall Mower
The MHS conference is an annual event that allows health care providers from across the different services and different disciplines to come together and learn new ideas in the pursuit of delivering world-class health care. The conference consisted of plenary sessions for the entire group as well as smaller break out sessions done by individual service or specific topics (patient safety, IT, research, etc...). In the plenary sessions we were able to hear from the Surgeon...read more