Camp Lester doctor helps save Guamenian woman’s life

Marine Corps News ^ | Feb 24, 2006 | Pfc. Eric D. Arndt

[SandRat]

CAMP FOSTER,OKINAWA,Japan (Feb. 24, 2006) -- Doctors from U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa aren’t used to making house calls or traveling thousands of miles to operate on a patient.

But when the urgent need for a neurosurgeon in Guam arose, Lt. Cmdr. Dennis J. Rivet answered the call without hesitance.

On the evening of Jan. 23, a woman was admitted to USNH Guam for a sudden loss of consciousness preceded by headaches. Tests concluded she needed an operation quickly or she would die. The procedure required a neurosurgeon, but Guam had none on the island.

Rivet, one of two Medical Corps neurosurgeons at USNH Okinawa, received word from Guam personnel late that night, and called the USNH Okinawa executive officer, Navy Capt. Dale M. Mole, for authorization to travel to Guam to perform the necessary procedure.

“I had a lot of questions concerning exactly what the patient’s condition was and how he would arrange travel (to Guam),” Mole said. “(Rivet) indicated to me that she basically had hours to live.”

After Rivet received authorization from his command to proceed, he picked up needed supplies and equipment from USNH Okinawa. He then went immediately to Kadena Air Base and flew to Guam. Surgery involved draining surplus fluid from the woman’s brain.

The procedure was performed quickly because following the operation, he and the patient had to fly to Hawaii using the same flight crew. Due to flight restrictions, pilots have a 14-hour day which they can fly.

In Hawaii, he transferred her to a civilian neurosurgeon. There, she received more care until she can be rehabilitated.

According to Rivet, there was little doubt that the patient would have lost her life without medical intervention. He also said that he played a small part in an expertly coordinated plan by medical and military personnel on Okinawa, Guam and Hawaii.

“It could not have gone more smoothly,” Rivet said. “I want to emphasize that it was a huge effort by a lot of people to be able to treat the patient.”

The event was the first time a neurosurgeon had ever been flown from Okinawa to Guam for such an operation, according to Rivet.

“He is a really outstanding neurosurgeon and Naval officer,” Mole said. “He is really prepared to do what is needed to meet the needs of the patient.”

“I thought it was the right thing to do, and I was more than happy to do it,” Rivet said. “I don’t think there are very many other countries in the world that would do this.”

[SandRat]

Navy Doctor PING!!!

[xJones]

“I thought it was the right thing to do, and I was more than happy to do it,” Rivet said. “I don’t think there are very many other countries in the world that would do this.”

That's the truth, and no one will ever know all the acts of kindness our military doctors have done for others.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT