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Camp Mitchell Docs Keep Seabees Fit to Work
Story Number: NNS030620-18
Release Date: 6/21/2003 4:20:00 PM
By Journalist 1st Class (DV) Robert Palomares, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 26 Public Affairs
ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- Everything from dispensing aspirin to minor surgery is offered to Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 26 to keep them fit and on the job.
The nine members of the Camp Mitchell Battalion Medical Aid Station, headed by Lt. Cmdr. Blaine Powell and Physicians Assistant Lt. Joel Coots, work around the clock to provide routine and emergency care to Reserve Seabees deployed with NMCB-26 in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle.
“We see about 40 patients a day, including morning sick call,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Christopher Priest, the clinic’s leading petty officer. “We do minor surgery, such as cyst and mole removal, IVs, blood drawing and immunizations. We also treat colds, diarrhea and sunburn.”
Sunburn is common, because the Seabees working in southern Spain spend most of their time outdoors working in remote areas, added Priest, of Sparta, Mich.
The clinic also works closely with the Naval Hospital on Naval Station Rota for more extensive services, such as x-rays, orthopedics, major surgeries and drug prescription appointments.
“One of the most common ailments suffered by Seabees here is dehydration,” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Joseph Burmeister, of Whitehall, Mich. “Seabees just don’t drink enough water. That’s important when you’re doing hard work outside. We’re trying to pound that into everyone’s head. This may not be the desert, but we’re pretty close to it. And if you don’t drink enough water, it could lead to more serious situations, like heat stroke and even kidney stones.”
All of the corpsmen working at the clinic are qualified in Basic Cardiac Life Support and some in the Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
Corpsmen not only work at the clinic, but also follow Seabees where they work and train. An ambulance and personnel travel to weapons training exercises and remote job sites, just in case an accident occurs and medical help is not close by.
In addition, one corpsman provides CPR and Basic First Aid training to Seabees.
The 500 Seabees at Camp Mitchell, the Seabee compound on Naval Station Rota, are in good hands with this crew, said Powell, of Cleveland, Ohio. “With this talented staff, we can provide the best care possible.”
These docs also are proficient in small arms fire and other battlefield training, just as Seabees are. “Just as Seabees are trained to defend the work they do, we have to be trained to defend our patients in the battlefield,” said Powell.
For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.
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