German and U.S. military medical leaders from units across Germany came together for two days recently in an unprecedented meeting to discuss the future of cooperation between the international partners.
The Army Medicine in Europe Senior Leader Forum, which kicked off with a social get-together Nov. 19 and continued through Nov. 21 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, included leadership teams from Europe Regional Medical Command, Europe Regional Dental Command, Public Health Command Region-Europe, U.S. Army Medical Material Command Europe, 30th Medical Brigade, U.S. Army Medical Research Unit-Europe, and the Bundeswehr Medical Service. The conference's theme was "partnerships", and it was hosted By Brig. Gen. Norvell V. Coots and Command Sgt. Maj. Ly Lac, the ERMC commanding general and command sergeant major.
The Senior Leader Forum is an annual conference, but this was the first time in many years -- more than most who attended the conference could remember -- that the Bundeswehr Medical Service leadership teams had been invited to participate. While medical units from the two countries have worked together in various exercise and deployments in the past, this conference specifically targeted the future opportunities for increased cooperation between the two allies.
"I am grateful for this meeting to take place and for the opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest," said Rear Adm. Dr. Stephan Apel, Bundeswehr Medical Service deputy chief of staff. "We consider the United States our most important ally, and we don't forget the support you've given us through the Cold War and up to now. I'm happy to see this opportunity for renewed cooperation, and this meeting is the starting point."
Forum attendees heard mission briefings from each of the units in attendance -- U.S. and German -- so they could better understand their counterparts and identify units with similar missions for partnering possibilities. Several U.S. units also set up static displays to graphically explain their operations and were able to tour LRMC, the largest U.S. military medical facility outside the continental United States.
Breakout sessions on the second day of the forum allowed leadership teams, clinical staff and noncommissioned officers to each discuss their ideas for future partnering opportunities. Suggestions included rebuilding and increasing cooperation between Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and the Bundeswehr Central Hospital in Koblenz and working together to build up a generic Role 3 medical facility that can be used by both countries during deployments.
By the end of the conference, representatives from both countries said they felt it was a worthwhile endeavor.
"Thank you for this opportunity…this was a perfect planning meeting," said Col. Dr. Jens-Peter Evers, Bundeswehr Operational Medical Support Command executive officer. "Our goal was to strengthen partnerships, and we reached that goal."
The ERMC commanding general agreed.
"This meeting accomplished my personal goal and what I've spoken with (Army Surgeon General Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho) about -- friendship, partnership and comradery. With those three things we can overcome any obstacle" Coots said. "I look forward to continued partnerships, continued relationships, and one day we'll all be alten Kameraden (old comrades)."
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