LEXINGTON, Mass. – Medics, nurses and physicians from the Massachusetts National Guard, Paraguayan Armed Forces and Kenyan Defense Force participated in critical care interventions training at Boston Bioskills Lab Aug. 19-20, strengthening their partnership and equipping medical personnel with the skills and knowledge to manage complex injuries they may encounter during large-scale combat operations.
During two days, participants worked with cadavers to perform lifesaving procedures, including advanced airway management, thoracic interventions, hemorrhage control, intraosseous vascular access and suturing. Cadaver-based training increases procedural confidence by giving participants a unique opportunity to visualize and work with anatomical structures that cannot be replicated with conventional simulation.
U.S. Army Pfc. Nkogun Nya Silnodad, a combat medic assigned to the Massachusetts Army National Guard Medical Detachment, recently graduated from her combat medic training and quickly raised her hand to attend the training.
“We did some of these procedures at medic school, but it was done on simulated dummies,” Nya Silnodad said. “Being able to do things like intubation and cricothyroidotomy on a real person and seeing the actual anatomy of the airway was a really cool experience.”
Patriot Tactical Consulting, LLC, provided instruction to the participants and began by presenting findings and lessons learned from Ukraine. Instructors explained how medical treatment and critical care interventions required in today’s large-scale combat operations change rapidly and that tactical combat casualty care proficiency is essential for troops closest to the front line. To keep pace with change, Patriot Tactical regularly reviews and revises its curriculum.
“Bringing together the Massachusetts Army and Air National Guard alongside our State Partnership Program medical counterparts exemplifies the highest standards of joint readiness,” said U.S. Army Maj. Jessica Prendiville, Massachusetts Army National Guard clinical training officer. “Partnering with civilian instructors, who are current and former military, ensures healthcare professionals across our force master complex, life-saving interventions in a high-fidelity environment.”
This year, eight medical professionals – four from the Paraguayan Armed Forces and four from the Kenyan Defense Forces – joined the course as part of the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. Massachusetts partners with Kenya and Paraguay to advance the State Partnership Program’s mission to increase the readiness of U.S. and partner forces to meet emerging challenges.
“I appreciate the way the National Guard trains personnel – training for the battlefield is something we are lacking a little bit in Paraguay,” said Teniente Primero Maria Angelica Gonzalez Torres, Paraguayan Air Force first lieutenant and occupational health physician. “All of the procedures we did are important for my role in the Air Force. I hadn’t done an intubation before, but one day I might have to, so being able to practice is very impactful.”
A native of Cameroon, Nya Silnodad joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard to challenge herself and show her appreciation for the opportunity to live in the United States.
“Not a lot of people get to do this – less than 1% of people in the United States get to serve in the military,” she said. “When I was moving here, I didn’t really know all of this could be possible in such a short time. I’m honored to have opportunities like this and to share my experience with others, so I encourage everyone out there, if you want something, go for it.”