Saturday, August 29, 2009

For most people, there is an inherent mystery surrounding the Operating Room. While medical reality shows provide us with a peek into the world of the OR, for the Soldiers of the 334th Combat Support Hospital surgical team this is not a reality show. There are no “take 5’s” no “let’s do that take again”, no wrap parties. This is just reality, and the reality is… this is the final training stage before they deploy in support a contingency operation.

Soldiers come in to the CSH with all types of battle field injuries and you have to be ready for anything that comes through that door the training scenarios are very similar to what they will experience during their deployment. This year, the training is very intense.

The 334th CSH is participating in the Joint Training Center Exercise 09-09 at Fort Polk La. The JTRC provides a realistic training environment for the full spectrum of war. An integral part of that spectrum is the medical portion which includes a fully functional CSH. The CSH is the successor to the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital or MASH, capable of providing quick and decisive care, allowing most wounded soldiers, to return to combat, it also has the resources available to provide life saving surgical care to the severely injured as well as the capability to air evacuate them for definitive care.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

making things safe


personal searches down range are dangerous. extremely dangerous good thing they practice at Ft. Polk.

Life Savers




they train to save lives, and it all comes down to this ...can they do it. really do it. For the men and women assigned to the 344 Combat Support Hospital, Fort Drumm, Ny. I have no doubt.





Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Healing Hands

My professional life affords me the opportunity to do what I enjoy doing, photography. In my professional life, I am a surgical technician. I assist surgeons with surgery. I currently work for an Orthopedic Surgeon and am having great fun doing it. It is this work which allows me to spend time behind the camera when I can. O.K. basically, I work to support my photo habit. "hi my name is Nic and I am a photographer", "Hi Nic".

I just happen to bring my camera to work one evening, we had a surgery cancel after all the supplies were opened and laid out. We can not use the supplies once they have been opened for any other patient, so before we threw them away, I grabbed my friends, Patrick Flemming, RN and another surgical technician, Brenda Plouse, and set up these shots.




Closed

The U.S. Capitol is the hotbed of democracy, the very center of a well respected, much adored way of life.
According to Wikianswers.com, 15 million people visit Washington D.C. each year. Some come to see the museums, some to walk the "hollow grounds" of democracy, (o.k. so I made that up), most take the tour of the capitol which welcomes all to get a glimpse of the inner workings of our government.

Apparently democracy was closed that day.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Twins

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs is a park in the middle of the city. Once a private place, the owners willed it to the city with the stipulation that this park remain free to the public.

Hiking, biking and rock climbing are in abundance and as accessible as a walk in the park.

go there and enjoy the view

Truth in a Fortune Cookie?


I don't believe that there is one person in America that has not opened a fortune cookie without silently hoping that their fortune would come true.
Well if you haven't had a good Chinese dinner in a while, this is my fortune for you.
Enjoy and by the way, the cookies were delish!!!!!