On May 21st, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Montana’s Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons (SAMOPS) conducted a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training event for the students, faculty, and staff.
The class began with training in tourniquet use and other training methods in the classroom and proceeded to the field adjacent to Central Catholic High School for training including search and rescue exercises with a helicopter from Malmstrom Air Force Base.
The afternoon exercises included hands-on helicopter aircraft and casualty loading exercises conducted in partnership with Malmstrom AFB. The training materials were provided by Malmstrom Air Force Medical Services and the Montana-based U.S. Army Reserves.
Despite a brief spell of rain and some hail, the class remained attentive and completed the outdoor training promptly.
After the training exercises, several of the students gathered in the school for interviews and some relaxation time including playing ping pong.
Christian Carlos from the Philippines, and Rilee Schmidt from Minnesota, are two of the several students who attended the training exercises. Both of these amazing students are on the Health Profession Scholarship Program (HPSP). Once they complete their four years of school, they will return to active duty.
Christian and Rilee enjoy the campus building. “I think one of the biggest examples of how cool this building is, is that our anatomy lab, our cadaver lab, has windows in it,” explained Rilee, “Most cadaver labs at other schools are in basements and have no windows. Ours is awesome because we have huge windows that look outside and natural light and it allows us to have a good experience while still being in the anatomy lab.”
Both Christian and Rilee commented on the relaxed atmosphere and plentiful natural light, which makes studying less stressful than some atmospheres.
These students look forward to having a larger group next year with first-year students and second-year students combined. The goal to save lives shines through well in these students.
All the students showed great appreciation for the warm welcome they have received from Great Falls and look forward to sharing their knowledge and passion within the school and in the community.
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
