Photo By 1st Sgt. John Etheridge | Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Amanda Saenz, a surgical technician at Role 3...... read more read more
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KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – A co-worker described Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Amanda Saenz as always ready to work, always smiling, always prepared and knowledgeable about every aspect of her job.
However if you ask her, she credits her success to her relationships with her team members and a positive mental attitude.
In recognition of her work ethic and value as a surgical team member, Saenz has been chosen as May’s service member of the month for the Directorate of Surgical Services at the NATO Role III Multinational Medical Unit hospital, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
Saenz, a Navy reservist from southern California, is quick to give credit and share the glory with her co-workers.
“Everything we do around here is based on teamwork. I feel it’s hard to separate yourself from the team because we all contribute to a very honorable task of taking care of patients. We all deserve the recognition because it’s a team effort,” she said.
Saenz also feels that one of the more significant contributions to her team is a positive attitude.
“Having a positive attitude goes a long way,” she said. “Just having a smile on your face when someone comes to the door goes along way and does wonders for people and their attitudes. A positive attitude helps the team effort.”
Having good communication and a close bond with her co-workers and teammates is also one of the things Saenz credits with getting her through the tough times of her deployment.
As a surgical technologist, Saenz’s main tasks are to assist the surgeon during operations, as well as maintain the operating room equipment and process and sterilize medical instruments. However, she said caring for patients is the most rewarding part of her day.
“Any time I get to have one-on-one time with a patient here it’s an honor,” she said. “Knowing that you gave someone back to their family members in the best shape possible after a traumatic event, nothing can compare to that.”
Even when things go bad and the hospital staff can’t save a service member’s life, Saenz tries to make it into a positive moment. In the past she has volunteered to be a part of a dignified transfer service, the solemn movement of a fallen military member by a team of military personnel into an aircraft headed back to the United States.
Saenz said she feels by volunteering she is somehow helping the fallen service member’s unit overcome and better handle their loss. It gives her a sense of pride to be associated with the hospital.
“It truly is an honor to be out here and be a part of Role III’s legacy. The history of the hospital is filled with so many acts of greatness,” she said.
In regards to service members just starting their deployments, Saenz has some recommendations for a successful tour.
“Don’t isolate yourself from what you’re doing here, but embrace it. Communicate with the people you have here and at home. Don’t keep them out of the loop. Just maintain that positive energy and everything will fall into place,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2014 08:57 |
| Story ID: | 130612 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Hometown: | LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 475 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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