As Operation Iraqi Freedom progresses and more troops are sent into harm's way, University graduates may soon find themselves providing medical attention to U.S. soldiers wounded overseas.
Ten fourth-year Medical students at the University currently participate in the Health Professions Scholarship program, which provides tuition assistance to future physicians in exchange for a commitment to serve in military hospitals following graduation.
Scholarship recipients agree to serve one year in the armed forces for every year they receive scholarship benefits.
The Army, Navy and Air Force all recruit for the program.
Approximately 12 students per class traditionally accept the scholarship each year, said David Craig, residency program coordinator and assistant to the associate dean for student affairs.
Five of the 10 students will begin their residencies next year at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, which already is beginning to plan for a potential influx of injured servicemen and women, Lt. Jackie Fisher, a public affairs officer for the Center said.
"From what we understand, they will try to disperse[wounded soldiers] in and around the D.C. area and then they'll come to Portsmouth," Fisher said.
The hospital has constructed a new patient-receiving area at Norfolk Naval station and has increased training, she said.
Additionally, over 500 of the hospital's active duty personnel have been deployed to the Middle East.
Because she will begin serving her residency in Portsmouth, fourth-year Medical student Katherine Wayman said she and her classmates will not be among those deployed next year. Physicians cannot be sent into service outside a domestic hospital setting in the first year of their residencies.
"You're not quite ready for the fleet until you've had a year of training," Wayman said. "After that, it's definitely an option."
Though the prospect of being sent into combat is a daunting one, those who choose to accept the scholarship did with open eyes, she said.
"We had a sense of patriotism and a desire to serve the country and this is part of the experience of what we signed up to do," she said.
For now, Wayman is focusing on the task of treating wounded soldiers who will be returned to the states.
"Some of my friends and I have been discussing 'how many patients are we going to see?' and 'how busy will it be,'" she said. "We won't know until time tells."
The hospital's last experience with soldiers wounded overseas came after the October, 2000 attack on the USS Cole.
Regional hospitals also can apply their experience treating victims of the Sept. 11 attacks on the Pentagon, fourth-year Medical student Debra-Ann Clarke said.
Clarke has committed to complete her residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda.
In spite of the unusual environment that war and terrorism produce, military physicians perform the same procedures and receive the same training as their civilian counterparts during their residencies. The difference is that they do so while aiding their country, fourth-year Medical student Eric Chin said.
"I see this as an opportunity to do civil service," Chin said.
Chin will begin his residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda next year.
While their identities as physicians may mirror those of their peers, military physicians must prioritize an additional role -- that of a soldier, fourth-year Medical student Debra-Ann Clarke said.
"The military mission comes first," Clarke said. "But to me the obligation is minimal because I was on active duty in the air force before I came to medical school."
Ultimately, Clarke said, she expects the choice to use her medical skill to care for her fellow soldiers to be a rewarding one.
"I will feel really strong that I am able to give medical care to soldiers who are fighting for things I take for granted," Clarke said.
Read More
Students have federal internship offers rescinded due to hiring freeze
By Nina Broderick | YesterdayUntil July 15, no presently vacant federal civilian positions may be filled, and no new positions may be created.
Man dies from self-inflicted gunshot wounds at the Rotunda
By Ford McCracken | 2 days agoThe investigation is ongoing, and additional details are not available at this time.
Virginia primary elections feature contested race for Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate
By Nicolas Biernacki | 2 days agoEligible voters can find more information about early voting by consulting the City Department of Voter Registration & Elections website or the County Department of Elections website.
