<!--/* //NOSONAR */--><!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<!--/* //NOSONAR */--><html  lang="en-US">
<head id="Head"><meta id="MetaDescription" name="DESCRIPTION" /><meta id="MetaKeywords" name="KEYWORDS" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1" /><title>
	MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto 
</title><link id="css3605" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/module.css" /><link id="css4619" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/desktopmodules/ArticleCS/styles/DOD2/style.css" /></head>
<body>
    <main>
    <div>
    <div class="aprint news">
    <div class="header">
        <img height="100" class="print-logo" alt="Site Logo" src="/Portals/7/Images/SOUTHCOM_logo_thumb.jpg?ver=SIvIeRRofyrg5ZHPpvvh6Q%3d%3d" />

        <h1 class="title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </h1>
    </div>
    
<div id="adetail-slick-gallery" class="gallery">
    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Feb/27/2001704257/1920/1080/0/170216-O-VI420-004.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="Red Cross volunteers sort vitamins and deworming medication into care bags provided by the preventive medicine team during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 16, 2017. Red Cross volunteers also facilitated communication between patients and U.S. medical personnel. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </div>
            <div class="image-caption">Red Cross volunteers sort vitamins and deworming medication into care bags provided by the preventive medicine team during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 16, 2017. Red Cross volunteers also facilitated communication between patients and U.S. medical personnel. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Feb/27/2001704259/1920/1080/0/170216-O-VI420-022.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. Army Maj. Rhonda Dyer, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, provides deworming medication to a child during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 16, 2017. The two-day exercise provided service for 747 patients. 
(U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)
"
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Maj. Rhonda Dyer, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, provides deworming medication to a child during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 16, 2017. The two-day exercise provided service for 747 patients. 
(U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)
</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Feb/27/2001704260/1920/1080/0/170216-O-VI420-038.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="Col. Tito Livio Moreno, Commander of the Honduran 105th Infantry Brigade (left), Mr. Ricardo Alvarado Mayor of Omoa (center) and U.S. Army Maj. Rosemary Reed, Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force-Bravo Civil Military Operations, tour the facilities where a Medical Readiness Training Exercise is taking place in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 16, 2017. The MEDRETE included participation from JTF-Bravo personnel, Honduran Ministry of Health providers, Red Cross volunteers and local military. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)
   
"
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </div>
            <div class="image-caption">Col. Tito Livio Moreno, Commander of the Honduran 105th Infantry Brigade (left), Mr. Ricardo Alvarado Mayor of Omoa (center) and U.S. Army Maj. Rosemary Reed, Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force-Bravo Civil Military Operations, tour the facilities where a Medical Readiness Training Exercise is taking place in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 16, 2017. The MEDRETE included participation from JTF-Bravo personnel, Honduran Ministry of Health providers, Red Cross volunteers and local military. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)
   
</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Feb/27/2001704265/1920/1080/0/170217-O-VI420-184.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. Army Col. Douglas Lougee, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element commander, examines a young boy during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017. Lougee is also a pediatrician and had the opportunity to participate in a leadership role as well as a provider during the MEDRETE. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Col. Douglas Lougee, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element commander, examines a young boy during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017. Lougee is also a pediatrician and had the opportunity to participate in a leadership role as well as a provider during the MEDRETE. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Feb/27/2001704261/1920/1080/0/170216-O-VI420-048.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. Army Spc. Gloria Galbearth, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, checks a child’s vital signs during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 16, 2017. Galbearth was assigned to the filtering section of the MEDRETE where patients were examined prior to seeing a provider. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Spc. Gloria Galbearth, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, checks a child’s vital signs during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 16, 2017. Galbearth was assigned to the filtering section of the MEDRETE where patients were examined prior to seeing a provider. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Feb/27/2001704262/1920/1080/0/170216-O-VI420-054.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. Army Master Sgt. Nicole Cope, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, examines a patient during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017. Red Cross volunteers facilitated communication between patients and U.S. medical personnel. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Master Sgt. Nicole Cope, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, examines a patient during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017. Red Cross volunteers facilitated communication between patients and U.S. medical personnel. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Feb/27/2001704264/1920/1080/0/170217-O-VI420-161.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. Army Spc. Timothy Morrison, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, performs an ear irrigation on a young girl during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017. MEDRETEs provide a real world environment where servicemembers can hone their medical skills under austere conditions better preparing them for challenging situations. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Spc. Timothy Morrison, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, performs an ear irrigation on a young girl during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017. MEDRETEs provide a real world environment where servicemembers can hone their medical skills under austere conditions better preparing them for challenging situations. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Feb/27/2001704263/1920/1080/0/170217-O-VI420-157.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="Honduran Army 2nd Lt. Ana Urbina (left) and U.S. Army Sgt. Charissa Youngs, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, perform a tooth extraction on a young boy during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017.  Besides preparation in the medical field, JTF-Bravo personnel also had the opportunity to develop ties with local health providers, military and other organizations.  (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </div>
            <div class="image-caption">Honduran Army 2nd Lt. Ana Urbina (left) and U.S. Army Sgt. Charissa Youngs, Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element, perform a tooth extraction on a young boy during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017.  Besides preparation in the medical field, JTF-Bravo personnel also had the opportunity to develop ties with local health providers, military and other organizations.  (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
    <div class="item">
        
        <div class="image">
            
            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/Feb/27/2001704275/1920/1080/0/170217-O-VI420-176.JPG"
                 class="aimage img-responsive"
                 alt="U.S. Army Capt. Can Lao (left), Joint Task Force-Bravo Chief of Pharmacy, checks prescriptions before dispensing to patients during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017.  The medical mission took place in a local school where personnel set up to provide preventive medicine, basic medical attention, dental services and medication to the population of Corinto. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)"
                 itemprop="image" />
        </div>
        
        
        
        
        
        <div class="slide-info-hidden">
            <div class="slide-info-inner">
            
            <div class="image-title">MEDRETE mission supports health efforts in Corinto </div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Capt. Can Lao (left), Joint Task Force-Bravo Chief of Pharmacy, checks prescriptions before dispensing to patients during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in Corinto, Cortes, Feb. 17, 2017.  The medical mission took place in a local school where personnel set up to provide preventive medicine, basic medical attention, dental services and medication to the population of Corinto. (U.S. Army photo by Maria Pinel)</div>
        </div>
    </div>
    </div>

    
</div>
<div class="slide-info"></div>





    <div><b>By Maria Pinel</b> <span class="date">/ Published Feb. 27, 2017</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">CORINTO, Cortes , </span>
    <p><span>Thirty-three personnel from Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Medical Element, Joint Security Forces and Army Forces Battalion participated in a two-day Medical Readiness Training Exercise here, Feb. 16 through 17, providing service for 747 patients. </span></p>
<p>The medical mission took place in a local school where nurses, providers and Honduran Red Cross volunteers set up to provide preventive medicine, basic medical attention, dental services and medication to the Corinto population.</p>
<p>Selection of a work-site for a medical engagement involves extensive coordination between the U.S. Embassy Country team in conjunction with JTF-Bravo leadership, as well as host nation Ministry of Health representatives to determine the priority and need of a specific area; usually small rural villages with limited or no access to health services.</p>
<p>MEDRETEs provide a real-world environment where servicemembers can hone their medical skills under austere conditions, better preparing them for challenging situations such as a disaster relief response.</p>
<p>“We get used to having laboratory and X-Ray resources available to practice, but the reality is that good care can be given just using our brains and simple tools,” said Col. (Dr.) Douglas Lougee, JTF-Bravo MEDEL Commander, “I have learned a great deal from my host nation colleagues over the years. At first glance, we may not understand why they do some things the way they do, but once we understand the reality of their challenges with resources they have, it makes a great deal of sense.”</p>
<p>Besides preparation in the medical field, JTF-Bravo personnel also had the opportunity to get military-type training such as how to safely convoy vehicles, keep accountability of people and how to maintain their own health in a field environment, while also developing ties with local health providers, military and other non-government organizations.  </p>
<p>Mauricio Paredes, Vice President of Honduran Red Cross, said their contribution was mainly through volunteers who participated as interpreters for U.S. medical personnel. The Red Cross also contributed by having an available ambulance to mobilize patients if they required additional medical support.</p>
<p>“This is the fourth year in a row that we have been working together and we are truly happy to be able to reach our communities,” said Paredes. “This provides us with an opportunity to show our capabilities and our willingness to support medical assistance efforts,” he said.  </p>
<p>While this is a learning experience for JTF-Bravo personnel, health resources are scarce and most hospitals throughout the country remain understaffed and through these type of missions the local Ministry of Health is able to receive much needed support in most underserved areas.</p>
<p>“We learn how much can be done without all the resources we are used to. Our Honduran colleagues are extremely professional and have taught us much over the years. We invariably take away great lessons learned from our colleagues,” Lougee said.</p>
<p>This particular MEDRETE was part of a three-piece mission in the Cortes area, with a Mobile Surgical Team performing gallbladder and hernia surgeries in the Area Hospital in Puerto Cortes and a Police Partnership Engagement taking place in San Pedro Sula. </p><br />
</div>

    </div>
    </main>
</body>
</html>