Military nurses foster relationships in Thailand

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Cohen A. Young
  • Defense Media Activity
BANGKOK, Thailand --  Members of the military nursing community in the Pacific region gathered at the Pullman King Power Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand on Aug. 1 for the start of the five-day 2011 Asia Pacific Military Nursing Symposium The event is Pacific Command-sponsored and executed under the direction of 13th Air Force.

The symposium brings together military nurses and medics in the Asia-Pacific region, to exchange information on topics regarding leadership, research, infectious disease, disaster management and humanitarian missions.

"It's important that we as a military service, make an effort to reach out to enhance partnerships across the globe," said Maj. Gen. Kimberly Siniscalchi, the Assistant Surgeon General, Nursing Services, U.S. Air Force. "When we gather together in an academic and professional environment, we are able to share research, clinical practice and ideas and establish those bonds, so that when we do have to come together in a disaster response, we are better prepared to function seamlessly."

The event is not just for nurses though; medics play a vital role in healthcare as well and their concerns are also discussed at this symposium.

"Events like these illustrate how we utilize our enlisted core in comparison to others," said CMSgt Joseph Potts, the Chief of Medical Enlisted Force Development and Aerospace Medical Service Career Manager. "Some countries only use their enlisted to move patients, but after an event like this, they realize what their enlisted are capable of doing and they then branch out and teach them more; thus making them more successful."

More than 12 countries are represented at the event, which is co-hosted by the United States and Thailand for the first time. This is the fifth year of the symposium and the Royal Thai military is happy to have the opportunity to host the event and share in the exchange of information.

"This event is important for the Royal Thai Army because we have the opportunity to exchange information and build relationships with other countries in our Pacific Region, which helps us work together very well in emergency situations," said Maj. Gen. Somjai Supyapoung, the Director of the Royal Thai Army Nursing College.

Researchers are thrilled to have the opportunity explain their research to the participants of the symposium during poster presentations and seminars.

"It's an honor to have an opportunity to explain to others my research for the first time at this event," said Maj. Aree Sanee of the Royal Thai Army Nursing College. "An international conference like this allows us to confer with others in our career on ideas that may enable us to progress our research in so many areas."

The theme of this year's event is "Asia-Pacific Military Nursing Preparedness in the Global Change Era," and concludes on Aug. 5.