87th MDG celebrates Nurse/Technician Week 2011 Published May 6, 2011 By Capt. Stacy Atchison 87th Medical Group JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- This week marks the beginning of National Nurse/Medical Technician Week 2011. The week ends Thursday, culminating in celebrating the birthday of Florence Nightingale. This year's theme is "Nurses Trusted to Care." Activities are planned within the Medical Group to recognize our nurses and medical technicians for the dedication and effort provided to care for our military population and their families. The 87th Medical Group employs 88 registered nurses and medical technicians, both military and civilian. The team is responsible for the care of approximately 16,000 beneficiaries. Additionally, our medics deploy in support of contingency operations abroad. The MDG had several nurses and technicians serve in Air Force and joint service assignments in Afghanistan, where they gained some unique experiences during the past year. In addition to important, life-saving work in support of Air Force Expeditionary Medical Groups, 87th MDG nurses and technicians also supported the following joint deployments: - NATO Training Mission Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan, Medical Training and Advisory Group mentored, assisted and strengthened the Afghan National Security Forces healthcare system. Their efforts enabled the ANSF to provide sustainable, quality healthcare to all Afghan security personnel, their family members and other eligible beneficiaries. - Kabul's National Military Hospital as a medical surgical nurse mentor. A second nurse is on a one-year assignment to Kabul as chief nurse, currently overseeing all nurses and programs at five regional Afghan National Army hospitals. She also serves as mentor to the ANA Chief Nurse. - Detention Facility Interment Parwan, providing medical support for detainee operations. - Provincial Reconstruction Team assisting local village members. - Naval Construction Battalion. One of our civilian nurses, a Navy reservist, recently returned from a year-long deployment to southern Afghanistan where he was the senior enlisted hospital corpsman. He and his team of eight junior corpsmen provided pre-hospital trauma life support for a battalion of 380 Seabees and NATO forces performing convoy, construction and combat operations. The MDG leadership is thankful to report all the deployed nurses returned home safely and wish the same for the next group of nurses and technicians soon on their way to Afghanistan. They also recognize those who remain at the MDG to care for patients. Their extraordinary service deserves special recognition and thanks. The entire nursing staff, here or deployed, is committed to supporting the war fight by caring for fellow Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, Airmen and their families. For those who visit the MDG this week, be sure to thank the outstanding nurses and medics of the 87th MDG as they do their very best to provide servicemembers and families "Trusted Care ... Anywhere!"