KOTZEBUE, Alaska, - Col. Cory Strobel is a pediatric gastroenterologist in civilian life, but he has been working here at the Maniilaq Health Center with adult patients during Operation Arctic Care.
This is a great experience! I hope that Operation Arctic Care will encourage others to assist in humanitarian missions," he said.
Strobel, chief of aeromedical services for the 134th Medical Group from McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn., said the joint military readiness and logistics training exercise has been very beneficial to the residents of these remote villages and he looks forward to 2012, when the Air Guard will be the lead agency for Operation Arctic Care.
During this exercise, he has conducted upper gastrointestinal and colon checks. He also performed physicals for children at the Maniilaq High School.
Strobel said he has seen many patients with bacteria that cause ulcer disease and gastritis. He said it is the most common bacteria in the world and can be passed onto from one person to another.
"We have found a lot of disease and colon polyps while visiting Kotzebue," he said. "We have removed polyps and sent them to pathology for testing and have found that there are numerous cases of colon cancer in this area."
Alaskan native Matthew Rae, a 17-year-old Maniilaq High School student, came in for his annual physical for medical clearance to play sports. He is a three-time regional wrestling champion and has placed at state twice.
"I'm so glad the military is here for medical help," he said. "I would have had to wait until summertime to get a physical if Arctic Care wasn't here. The military provide quick service, they are courteous and everybody seems pretty cool."