USU Students Attend Annual German Association of Military Medical Candidates Conference
Two School of Medicine students, 2nd Lt. Amanda Samuel and Ensign Colin McCarty, recently attended the Annual Conference of the German Association of Military Medical Candidates in Munich, Germany.
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Ensign Colin McCarty (left) and 2nd Lt. Amanda Samuel (right) at the conference’s formal gala evening with fellow military medical students from Belgium, France, and Poland. (Photo credit: 2nd Lt. Amanda Samuel) |
July 19, 2024 submitted by 2nd Lt. Amanda Samuel and Ensign Colin McCarty
Air Force 2nd Lt. Amanda Samuel and Navy Ensign Colin McCarty, students at the Uniformed Services University’s (USU) F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, recently attended the Annual Conference of the German Association of Military Medical Candidates in Munich, Germany. Held at the Sanitätsakademie der Bundeswehr at the Ernst-von-Bergmann Barracks, the meeting brought together military medical students and physicians not only from the U.S. and Germany, but also from international military institutions across Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Czechia, and Poland.
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Ensign McCarty and 2nd Lt. Samuel attend the conference’s formal gala evening at Augustiner Stammhaus. (Photo credit: Ensign Colin McCarty) |
“The opportunity to participate in the conference was a truly remarkable experience,” says McCarty, “especially being able to connect with other students and physicians from across the participating countries. It was eye-opening to learn how the medical services have been able to interact and learn from each other to make our overall combined force even stronger.”
The conference commenced with addresses from Major General Hans-Ulrich Holtherm, commander of the Bundeswehr Medical Academy, Dr. Stephan Schoeps, president of the German Society for Military Medicine and Military Pharmacy, and Lieutenant Melf-Erik Reimer, chairman of the German Association of Military Medical Candidates.
Throughout the event, Samuel and McCarty participated in a series of workshops and lectures focused on international cooperation in military medicine. Speakers discussed collaborating with NATO, the United Nations, and other international colleagues, highlighting aspects of multinational deployments including the exchange of ideas, organizational challenges, and valuable lessons learned. Workshops were led by experts who guided small groups of students through practical exercises, such as the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) primary survey and surgical procedures on simulation models.
A food security seminar taught McCarty and Samuel about methods for testing food and water sources in the field for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear contamination by running tests for cyanide, arsenic, mustard gas, ricin, and nerve agents. Other workshops examined topics such as decision making under simulated combat stress, nutritional differences in field rations among NATO nations, and even formal military etiquette and ballroom dancing.
Beyond the academic program, the conference featured nightly dinners with speeches from prominent figures like Brigadier General Sylvia Sperandio, head of the military health system in Austria, and Major General Ralf Hoffmann, Surgeon General of the German medical service.
“His words were incredibly motivating and inspired me to take more initiative to consider how future military exchanges and international collaboration can fit into the military physician’s career path,” added Samuel.
Following his formal remarks, the Surgeon General then dedicated time to visit each table, engaging in casual conversation with conference attendees to listen to their thoughts and concerns, offering individual encouragement in each of their pursuits.
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The Annual Conference of the German Association of Military Medical Candidates was held at the Sanitätsakademie der Bundeswehr at the Ernst-von-Bergmann Barracks in Munich, Germany. (Photo credit: Gamsbart, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons) |
The cultural exchange extended beyond the conference's scheduled events as well, with members of the German Association's International Cooperation Group volunteering to "host" visiting international students throughout the weekend. During the few free hours available these students organized a tour of Munich’s Old Town district and Olympic Park, and brought McCarty and Samuel to sample local specialty dishes at the historic Ratskeller restaurant. At the conclusion of the conference, students from all participating nations exchanged patches, pins, rank tabs, and even headgear as mementos to remember their time together at the meeting.
McCarty and Samuel emphasize that learning about the importance of international collaboration and cooperation and the role of language learning in today’s world was a major takeaway from the conference. Discussions on technical agreements and logistical intricacies involved in multinational operations highlighted how these elements influence mission success. Through interactions with students and leaders from the participating nations, the students developed a deeper appreciation and understanding of military medicine and medical training practices across different countries.
Looking ahead, the USU students eagerly anticipate reciprocating hospitality to international students, further fostering global partnerships in military healthcare. And they may soon get their chance: USU will be the host for the 2024 International Conference of Military Medical Schools (ICMMS), a multinational initiative, Sept. 17-19, 2024. The ICMMS brings together faculty and students from military medical schools around the world to share their experiences in education and research. The goal is to improve healthcare practices, encourage innovation, and build relationships to equip military health systems with the latest advancements.
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International medical students from Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France, Poland, and the US accompanied by their German student hosts. (Photo credit: 2nd Lt. Amanda Samuel) |
