U.S. Army Europe medical Soldiers wrap up Joint Task Force-East participation with humanitarian proj

By Joint Task Force-East Public Affairs OfficeOctober 21, 2008

U.S. Army Europe medical Soldiers wrap up Joint Task Force-East participation with humanitarian projects in Bulgaria
1st Lt. Caleb Lakey, environmental engineer with U.S. Army Europe's 212th Combat Support Hospital, cleans the grounds of a school in Mokren, Bulgaria. The project was part of the 212th's last missions as the unit wraps up its participation in this ye... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

NOVO SELO TRAINING AREA, Bulgaria -- In their last two humanitarian missions in Bulgaria during this year's Joint Task Force-East rotation, the Soldiers of U.S. Army Europe's 212th Combat Support Hospital extended their efforts beyond medical care.

"We wanted to make the most of what time we had left here," said Maj. Tameka Bowser, officer-in-charge of the medical team.

In addition to medical services, in the last two weeks the team has offered dental hygiene classes to students in Padarevo and cleaned up the playground and handed out school supplies at a school in Mokren.

The 212th's mission here has been to work with Bulgarian personnel, providing counsel and developing a working relationship with Bulgarian medical providers, Bowser said.

1st Lt. Caleb Lakey, the unit's lead preventive medicine specialist, took on the Mokren schoolyard as a project the team could tie into its preventive medicine classes to the students. The dental team also handed out basic hygiene kits at both schools.

Between the two towns, Bulgarian medical professionals working alongside Soldiers of the 212th saw about 150 patients. The Soldiers handed out nearly 150 pairs of prescription glasses as well.