Air Force physician applies research to humanitarian exercise

  • Published
  • By Capt. Andrew Hoskinson
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
WENO ISLAND, Chuuk --  It is not every day that one has the opportunity to apply what was learned in the ivory tower of academia to a real-life situation.

But for Capt. (Dr.) Christopher Lindshield, a family practice physician from the 374th Medical Group, Yokota Air Base, Japan, the prospect of using his knowledge of Micronesian medicine during a humanitarian mission to Chuuk was too good to pass up.

The physician is part of the 54-person Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team (HARRT) combining medical and contingency response experts from Guam, Japan and Hawaii.

The HARRT is deployed to the Micronesian island of Chuuk for a validation exercise and to provide basic care and public health assistance to the local population during a Sept. 2-7 deployment. 

Doctor Lindshield's previous visit to the region included Chuuk and Yap, two of the four island states comprising the Federated States of Micronesia. The trip took place in June of 2008 and was the culmination of research and a residency program following medical school.

"In my residency program in Hawaii, a lot of faculty members were doing things in the Pacific, specifically cancer work or diabetes work," said the doctor. "So I came along with them and got to see the specific health needs of the Pacific and help out."

According to Doctor Lindshield, Chuukese citizens face medical issues similar to those in the United States, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as problems unique to the region.

"We have done worm treatments and seen other infections that are somewhat unique to Micronesia or the Pacific," Doctor Lindshield said. "We have seen little kids with large lumps in their necks. One of the things you need to think about is whether it is tuberculosis."

The HARRT deployment is different from his previous experience in the island state, according to the Yokota physician. While his research focused on surveying nearly thirty dispensaries around the lagoon and on the outer islands, the current humanitarian mission offers an opportunity for closer interaction with patients.

"The Chuukese are very friendly and appreciative of what we are doing here," said Dr. Lindshield. "I have never met a group of people who are happier when you say only one thing like 'Ran Annim,' which means hello in Chuukese."

Doctor Lindshield and other medical experts are providing limited emergency and resuscitative care, ambulatory care, laboratory and pharmacy services, and public health and bioenvironmental engineering assistance during the HARRT validation exercise.

The HARRT is comprised of members of the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base Guam, 13th Air Force at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and Guam's Naval Hospital. Additionally, eight participants come from the 374th Medical Group at Yokota Air Base, Japan. 

"The Yokota Airmen are an integral part of the HARRT package and we are thrilled to have them here on Chuuk," said Col. Wayne Pritt, 13th Air Force command surgeon. "Doctor Lindshield's expertise and experience are very valuable to the team as we treat and interact with the Chuukese patients."
The HARRT will continue to provide free treatment to patients during the weekend. The validation exercise will end Sept. 7.