New versus old, surgical technicians compete

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Trevor Rhynes
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Members of the 86th Medical Group held a friendly competition between the group's superintendent, Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Kendrick and  Airman 1st Class Kathryn Presser, 86th Medical Squadron surgical technician, Aug. 23, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

The competition was a precursor for National Surgical Technician week, which is Sept. 18 through 21, and is held to educate the community about the role that surgical technologists have in healthcare.

The friendly competition involved seeing who could prepare the operating room for a surgery the quickest. It also ended with a draw between the old school technician and the new school technician.

Surgical technicians work alongside surgeons in operating rooms, assist with patient and instrument preparation and ensure the room is ready for the procedure being performed.

"Our field has come a long way," said Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Kendrick, 86th MDG superintendant. "The medical advancements have made some aspects safer for the patients. Past procedures weren't as precise as they are today.

"Things were much more difficult back then than they are now," Kendrick added. "Cases would take longer because of the lack of precision; now there are cameras we can use to ensure we're doing the right procedure in the right place."

Surgical technicians here have an opportunity they may not have at another location by working with members of other services.

"The unique aspect of being assigned to Ramstein is working with the Army and Navy," Kendrick said. "But most of all its interacting with our wounded warriors."

The joint environment provides the technicians the chance to learn about the two sister services.

"It provides us with a culture shock because each service operates differently," said Spc. Christopher Flagg, LRMC surgical technician. "We learn about the other services' customs and courtesies and get to share knowledge about our own service."

Technicians perform a wide variety of procedures, but one technician says doing a cesarean section is her favorite.

"My favorite type of procedure is a c-section," said Staff Sgt. Laura Shouldis, 86th MDS surgical technician. "Our normal duty day works us around the clock, but with this procedure, it's always nice to see the child at the end."

More information about what surgical technicians do will be available during National Surgical Technician week, scheduled for Sept. 18 through 21.