Florida reservists train at medical center Published July 29, 2008 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medcal Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- A group of Air Force Reserve medics from Florida completed two weeks of training at Keesler Medical Center July 25. The team from the 920th Aeromedical Staging Squadron at Patrick Air Force Base spent two days in the 81st Medical Support Squadron's clinical research laboratory practicing suturing techniques. The objective was to train non-physician health-care providers on selecting and using instruments and supplies for suturing skin and subcutaneous tissue. It also provided hands-on suture techniques training to augment their medical readiness skills that may be used in peacetime trauma or wartime missions. They also were trained on advanced emergency medical procedures. Staff Sgt. Tracie Lawrence, 81st Medical Group education and training flight, conducted the reservists' readiness skill verification training using the flight's skills simulation lab. According to Tech. Sgt. Anthony Williams, the flight's annual reserve coordinator, members of the 920th ASTS worked with 81st MDG staff throughout their stay. Master Sgt. Donald Smith, a lab technician, accompanied the Keesler Blood Donor Center staff on a blood drive to Pensacola, Fla. Medical administration personnel Master Sgt. David Sanford, Staff Sgts. Ida Marrero, Joseph McCabe, Nicole Blankenship and Dung Nguyen and Senior Airman Christina Mangold rotated through systems, Tricare, resource management office, medical records and readiness. Tech. Sgt. Jacques Gilles, a mental health technician, worked in mental health and the alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment program. Senior Airman Bill Turner, a medical equipment repair technician, was in biomedical equipment repair and Staff Sgt. Edwin Rivera, a dietary technician, rotated through the dining facility. In addition, Majs. Marcia Forbes and Julie Steele, both nurses, saw service in the emergency room and intensive care unit. Sergeant Williams said the two-week sessions in May-August prepare the reservists for both peacetime and wartime missions. In addition to the Florida unit, the medical center is training groups of 15-20 reservists each from California, Oklahoma and Keesler's 403rd Wing.