By Anna Lason
The Bureau of Medical Services (MED) safeguards and promotes the health and well-being of America’s diplomatic community and facilitates the diplomatic efforts of the Department of State. MED has more than 700 nurses and providers—nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians—serving 31 USG agencies. These providers and nurses deliver primary care services to more than 68,000 International Cooperative Administrative Support Services participants, as well as occupational health services to more than 50,000 local staff overseas. With evolving health threats worldwide and rapid advancements in the medical field, MED must offer its nurses and providers high-quality and evidence-based continuing nursing and medical education.
In February and March, the MED nurses and providers attended annual Continuing Nurses and Medical Education (CNE/CME) conferences in Tampa, Fla. In collaboration with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the Stratus Center for Medical Simulation, and the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation, the nurses and providers participated in medical simulations and learning modules focused on trauma resuscitation and mass casualty preparedness. Experts in the medical field offered unique, hands-on training opportunities to conference participants. They also obtained certifications as American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructors, and in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support.
“MED-sponsored CNE/CME conferences are the best way to keep the Department’s medical professionals up to date on current medical practices and also allow for face-to-face networking with those that share the same unique and challenging work,” said Rob Giallongo, director of the Medical Specialists Staff Office in MED. “These opportunities are invaluable to MED’s professionals and allow them to fulfill MED’s mission to promote and safeguard the health and well-being of America’s diplomatic community.”
Anna Lason is a Foreign Service medical provider in the Medical Specialists Staff Office/Education and Professional Development.
