U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Peter Chin, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, speaks with (from right to left) Senior Col. Xiaoli Tian, head delegate, Senior Col. Yan-Lan Ma, and Senior Col. Zhang Ling-Juan, Peoples Republic of China delegates from the Nursing Department, Changhai Hospital, Second Military University, Shanghai, China, during the Asia Pacific Military Nursing Exchange, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug 10, 2012. The APMNE provides a unique opportunity for U.S. military nursing leaders to engage with senior military nursing colleagues in the Asia-Pacific region on issues of mutual interest, such as infection control, military nursing practices, nursing roles in stability operations, disaster preparedness/response, aeromedical evacuation, international clinical research, evidence-based practice, nursing education and career development. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Tamara A. Averett-Brauer, Pacific Air Force command nurse, discusses a U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps career path presentation with Senior Col. Yan-Lan Ma, a nursing representative from the Peoples Republic of China, during the Asia Pacific Military Nursing Exchange, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug.10, 2012. The APMNE establishes an environment where Asia Pacific regional nursing leaders are able to develop and mature in order to build a regional network of shared expertise. It advances the professionalism of nursing by highlighting the role of nursing personnel in health care in the region and elevating the stature of military nurses as force multipliers. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

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Tech. Sgt. Sharnta S. Bullard, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, and Senior Master Sergeant Peter Chin, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, join Col. Bernadette P. Centillo of the Philippine Army, as they are briefed by the Directors of the Sri Lanka Medical Research Institute on its capabilities during the Asia Pacific Military Nursing Exchange, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug. 10, 2012. The APMNE provides a unique opportunity for U.S. military nursing leaders to engage with senior military nursing colleagues in the Asia-Pacific region on issues of mutual interest, such as infection control, military nursing practices, nursing roles in stability operations, disaster preparedness/response, aeromedical evacuation, international clinical research, evidence-based practice, nursing education and career development. One hundred fifty three nursing professionals attended from the countries of Sri Lanka, the United States, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, and Thailand. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

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Maj. Gen. Kimberly Siniscalchi, Assistant Air Force Surgeon General, Major Jenny Couse, Youngstown Air Reserve Station and Lieutenant Hushee Husna, Maldives National Defence Force are pictured together at the Sri Lank National Blood Bank Facility during the Asia Pacific Military Nursing Exchange, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug. 10, 2012. The APMNE establishes an environment where Asia Pacific regional nursing leaders are able to develop and mature in order to build a regional network of shared expertise. One hundred fifty three nursing professionals attended from the countries of Sri Lanka, the United States, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, and Thailand. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

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Military nurses from throughout Asia-Pacific region exchange knowledge, experiences

Published Aug. 24, 2012
By Master Sgt. Enrique Ferreria
Thirteenth Air Force Surgeon General's office

Colombo, Sri Lanka -- One hundred fifty three military nursing professionals from throughout the Asia-Pacific region gathered to exchange expertise and strengthen their professional network August 6-10, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Asia-Pacific Military Nursing Exchange is a multi-lateral international military nursing engagement held annually since 2007. It provides a unique opportunity for U.S. military nursing leaders to engage with senior military nursing colleagues in the Asia-Pacific region on issues of mutual interest, such as infection control, military nursing practices, nursing roles in stability operations, disaster preparedness/response, aeromedical evacuation, international clinical research, evidence-based practice, nursing education and career development.

This multi-lateral exchange establishes an environment where Asia-Pacific regional nursing leaders are able to develop and mature in order to build a regional network of shared expertise.

It advances the professionalism of nursing by highlighting the role of nursing personnel in health care in the region and elevating the stature of military nurses as force multipliers.

The exchange also helps to build host nations' skills and capacity in planning and organizing professional events where evidence-based practice and research are shared.

This helps to build a stabilizing force of professional nursing personnel independently able to lead health efforts and respond to humanitarian assistance, disaster response and pandemics in the region.

Countries with representatives attending the exchange included Sri Lanka, the United States, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, and Thailand.