MEET THE MEDICS
A paramedic in Fairbanks , AK who also teaches in the paramedic program at University of Alaska Fairbanks , Alford spent a month deployed to the Navajo Nation working as a paramedic in the ER .
Why did you decide to deploy with Team Rubicon to the Navajo Nation ? While I was still on our medical operation in Santa Clara I had friends volunteering in Arizona who were telling me about the situation on the ground . The Navajo Nation was affected so deeply , and I could relate to many of the challenges they were facing since there are similarities to working in Alaskan communities . Working and living in a smaller community makes it more likely you ’ ll have ties to your patients through friends or family , and this only increases the emotional toll . The fact that they were also short staffed , due to COVID , and had multiple staff out sick with the virus — some in critical condition — was putting an even heavier burden on healthcare providers .
Knowing that I had the necessary background and skills to help , and the time to give , how could I not offer to serve ?
What was the hardest thing about serving in Kayenta ? Leaving this operation was the hardest part for me . After a month of working closely with both full-time staff and contractors , strong bonds were formed . I became a part of their team as we all worked together to provide the best care possible in new and challenging circumstances . I connected with many patients , some of whom I treated on multiple occasions . Becoming integrated into that community , working with some amazing people , and the fact that they would be continuing long after I left made this one of the more challenging ops to leave .
What was the most impactful thing that happened during your deployment ? There wasn ’ t any one event or person that impacted me the most , but rather the community as a whole . And , countless moments : Local nurses and health techs sharing their food , culture , and stories . ER staff taking time to explain cultural nuances or how to better serve and treat elders in the community and teaching me Navajo phrases so I could show patients I cared in their own language . Challenging moments , like offering an ear to a doctor who was feeling overwhelmed at the enormity of the situation , with no end in sight . Then taking a deep breath together , checking our PPE , and walking back in to treat yet another critical patient with COVID-19 . Nurses who wanted to make sure I took time reset and got to see the natural beauty in the area . They took me out to hike and climb on the mesas and to breathe in the wind and fresh air so we could all go back the next day and keep serving .
E3CAMPING . COM 19