PRT physician’s assistant treats patients at combat outpost
by Senior Airman Wesley Farnsworth CJTF-1
PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Trauma is an unfortunate reality of war, but military medical teams provide care to service members and the local population increasing their chances to return home safely to their loved ones.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Benjamin McGarvey, Provincial Reconstruction Team Paktya physician assistant, from Port Allegany, Pa., is a vital member of the treatment team fighting the battle in Paktya province.
“I worked with the medics on Combat Outpost Herrera during training for this deployment, then again when I was on another mission,” McGarvey said. “When I heard they were going to be without a physician assistant, I saw an opportunity to help out and fill in the vacancy.”
Herrera is one of the leading COPs in Paktya province for treating trauma cases. Since July, the medical team has treated 25 life-threatening traumas, countless burns, and several broken bones and cuts.
“The experience and knowledge that Capt. McGarvey brought has helped us become a better aid station,” said U.S. Army Sgt. John Lowe, from Sapulpa, Okla., the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment aid station. “He has taught us advanced medical techniques and how to improve of our operations.”
During McGarvey’s stay, the team treated their worst burn patient to date when a one-year-old boy with severe burns over 50 percent of his body was brought in for treatment at the clinic.
“During that trauma, Capt. McGarvey ensured we provided the correct medicines and the proper amounts at the right time,” Lowe said. “With his knowledge and experience we were able to stabilize the patient after three hours so he could be transported to a higher level care facility.”
McGarvey also helped treat several other patients with the flu, torn rotator cuffs, and basic cuts and bruises.
“It was a great opportunity to work with and learn from, this medical team,” McGarvey said. “Their experience and medical knowledge clearly exceeds that of their peers and I’d love to work with them again.”