U.S. Army Europe Stryker Soldiers Improve Soldier Care, Iraqi Economy with Clinic Upgrade

By Sgt. Mark Matthews, 27th Public Affairs DetachmentJanuary 7, 2008

U.S. Army Europe Stryker Soldiers Improve Soldier Care, Iraqi Economy with Clinic Upgrade
Sgt. Jonathan Weiser, a laboratory technician with U.S. Army Europe's Medical Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, practices drawing a blood sample from 2nd SCR colleague and combat medic Sgt. Brian Janek in the newly ren... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq (Jan. 7, 2008) -- Soldiers with U.S. Army Europe's Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, have continued to "improve their foxhole" since their arrival here in August, and the evidence is visible in the recently upgraded Troop Medical Clinic here.

"We got the mission in September to provide a Level 2 clinic to support Camp Striker," said Maj. John McMurray, Medical Troop commander. "This TMC is a 24-hour medical treatment facility offering a pharmacy, X-rays, a lab, physical therapy, behavioral health and patient hold capabilities for all Soldiers."

"The level 2 TMC allows the troop population on Camp Striker 24/7 access to world-class health care, similar to what they would get on any Army post back in the States," added Lt. Col. Danny Tilzey, Regimental Support Squadron commander. "There is an excellent team of medical professionals that continue to amaze me every time I see them in action."

"Many of my junior troops lead the way with good ideas and better ways to do business," Tilzey said. "It is great to see that everyone is excited and involved in their TMC. This sense of ownership instills a sense of pride and satisfaction in providing health care to their fellow troopers."

The improvements and renovations have raised the overall level of health care the TMC can provide; helped fix issues such as patient flow and business hours, and also provided a boost to the local Iraqi economy.

"We are currently planning a major (renovation) of the interior and exterior of the building," Tilzey said. "This is part of an initiative I have in the RSS, 2nd SCR, to put local Iraqis to work, and in turn we get a clean, aesthetically pleasing environment to conduct health care operations."

When the clinic team isn't seeing patients or upgrading their facilities, the Soldiers operate and maintain a medical storage facility, and support regiment and Multi-National Division - Baghdad missions.

"We are still supporting convoys with two or three medics per convoy," McMurray said. "We are able to do a lot and still complete a dual mission."

"The Soldiers are a well-trained group," McMurray said. "They know they are held to a higher standard.

They always build on their skills, and I'm very proud of them all."

Although the TMC is fully functional and treating an average of about 4,000 Soldiers per month, its leaders say the clinic staff continues to learn, improve and upgrade their facilities to better support any Soldier needing medical attention.

"We don't care what patch you wear or what unit you're with," McMurray said. "We have an 'open to all who need care' attitude here."

"I am very proud of what (the TMC staff members) do every day," Tilzey said. "They all hit the ground running with a vision and they all work toward that vision every day. They will leave everything they touch in a much better state than when they (found) it."