Scottsdale Healthcare inaugurates new Military Medical Training Center

Local, state and national leaders gave the new Scottsdale Healthcare Military Training Center a "thumbs up" during grand opening dedication ceremonies held Jan. 19.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer, National Guard Chief Gen. Craig McKinley and former U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell all lauded the training center at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center for its contributions to military medical training, emergency preparedness and collaboration between civilian and military healthcare providers.

The Scottsdale Healthcare Military Training Center is a 7,500 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility where human simulators bleed and imitate battlefield trauma injuries in order to provide hands-on training to military medical personnel, ensuring they can provide quick, effective and potentially life-saving care for the wounded.

The facility also is used for training local paramedics and firefighters, as well as Scottsdale Healthcare staff members.

"This new center expands and enhances capabilities of Scottsdale Healthcare's military training program. Few missions can be more important than enhancing the training of our physicians, surgeons, nurses and other military medical personal as they get hands-on experience," said Gov. Brewer, who called Scottsdale Healthcare's Military Partnership "not only a model for our state as a successful public/private partnership, but a model for our entire country and Department of Defense."

Following the remarks and a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony, the approximately 400 attendees had an opportunity to tour the new $1.6 million center and view the six simulation training rooms with high-tech human patient simulators that have heart beats, breathing and abdominal sounds, the ability to talk and respond to medications and other functions.

The center also has class and meeting space with the latest teleconferencing equipment and high-definition audio/video capabilities.

It serves as the hub for Scottsdale Healthcare's Military Partnership, which expects to train at least 400 military medical personnel in 2011. These students gain hands-on experience during clinical rotations that include the Level 1 Trauma Center at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center.

Through its Military Partnership, Scottsdale Healthcare also plays a key role in regional disaster preparedness. The non-profit community-based hospital system's partnerships with the military led to the creation of the Coyote Crisis Campaign regional disaster response exercise.

"In addition to helping bring more of America's soldiers home, the firsthand training provided at our facilities ensures that medical professionals are ready and able to assist at disaster sites and humanitarian missions around the world," said Scottsdale Healthcare President & CEO Tom Sadvary. "We're making a difference in our own back yard, and well beyond."

Construction of the Scottsdale Healthcare Military Training Center was supported by Mitchell as part of the FY09 Defense Appropriation Bill.

Scottsdale Healthcare is the community-based, nonprofit parent organization of the Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center and Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Hospital, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute and Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. A leader in medical innovation, talent and technology, Scottsdale Healthcare was founded in 1962 and is based in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, visit www.shc.org/militarytraining.

Scottsdale Healthcare Military Partnership facts

• Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center was one of the first community hospitals in the nation to provide military trauma training.
• Since its creation in 2004, Scottsdale Healthcare's Military Partnership has trained 1,000 service members.
• Students have represented branches of the military including U.S. Air Force, Navy, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve and Army National Guard.
• Training has been provided to units from across the United States and the U.S. territory of Guam.
• Those trained include military physicians, nurses, medics, OR techs, pharmacy techs, lab techs, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and mental health professionals, as well as medical administrative and logistics personnel.
• The Military Training Program offers training and experience in Trauma, Burns, Pediatric Trauma, Behavioral Health, EMS ride-alongs, air ambulance and more.
• Other hospitals and military bases have used Scottsdale Healthcare's Military Partnership model to prepare military physicians, nurses and medics while building a relationship that can be used in possible disaster response situations.