August 2023 Page 12
CDU Newsletter Mass Casualty Simulation Prepares Students
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER : CDU held a simulated mass casualty event on campus , including crisis actors , to create a learning opportunity for students . In the spirit of the role-playing event , the following fictional story was written by a CDU staff member posing as a member of the media on the scene !
The students of Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles demonstrated amazing skills , care , and compassion under extreme pressure following a shocking mass casualty event that unfolded adjacent to the campus on the morning of August 8 .
At least 15 individuals were found injured when the CDU students , the only people with any medical training in the area at the time , responded to the crisis .
The reported casualties included light injuries along with critical life-threatening wounds , some of which were sustained during the chaos that unfolded trying to escape the incident .
The injured , guided by the CDU first responders , found themselves receiving evaluations and treatment on the lawn while awaiting the arrival of medical emergency personnel . The wounded included a 26-year-old pregnant woman .
“ When we got to her , she had two open wounds in her right leg ; so first , we did a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and then we placed the stint , wrapped it around , and stabilized the leg ,” said Sabrina Montgomery , a firstyear medical student in the CDU 4-Year Medical Degree program . “ We also checked her vitals and the baby ’ s vitals .”
Montgomery , a first year MD program student , was among 8 interprofessional teams of CDU students that mobilized along