MEDICINE, MINISTRY AND THE MILITARY, PART 2:
Dr. Stephen Burgher reports from Afghanistan
Stephen W. Burgher Sr., M.D., CDR, was one of the lead physicians on the medical staff at Riggs Emergency Department at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Burgher felt a calling to serve his
country, and he decided to join the U.S. Navy Reserve two years ago. We began to follow Dr. Burgher’s
journey in July, when he deployed. He is currently serving as the Emergency Medicine Trauma Team
Leader at the NATO, Role 3, Military Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield in Kandahar, Afghanistan. We
thought you would be interested in his recent experiences.
From: Burgher, Stephen W.
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Subject: Reuniting a Child with his Family
Wakil, a 1-year old patient, is recovering after
being hit by an IED (Improvised Explosive
Device). The Red Cross found his grandfather
about a week after Wakil arrived at the trauma
bay. It is amazing that they could track Wakil’s
grandfather down because he lives one province
over and has no phone. His grandfather was so
excited to have this little child back and is Wakil’s
closest living relative. This is how the hearts and
minds of the people are won over. Please keep
Wakil and his grandfather in
your prayers.
with the casualties in the thick of it. It’s afterward
that it hits you. When you go to the now full ward,
guys commiserating together, joy when reunited
with their buddies, seeing they’re alive. And their
teammates are there visiting them, barely holding
it together as they talk about their more severely
injured buddies and their fallen brothers and sisters. That’s when you have to turn away and tear up
yourself.
From: Burgher, Stephen W.
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2013
Subject: Salute Seen Around the World
I’ve attached a photo that has
already circulated on Facebook
and now an article found on the
From: Burgher, Stephen W.
Internet (search “the salute seen
Sent: Sunday, October 06,
around the world”). It’s of one
2013
of the soldiers we had the priviSubject: Recognizing God’s
lege of treating here. The photo
Grace
was taken during his Purple
The question was asked by
Heart bedside ceremony that
a good friend, how do you go
took place in our ICU. He lost
Photo courtesy of Dr. Stephen Bur
gher
about not being overwhelmed
both his legs, is intubated, on a
with the trauma? We talk about it. Debrief. And
ventilator, and thought to be under sedation.
humor can be key. And for me, anyway, faith and
Through it all, he raises his hand to his brow and
recognizing God’s grace. It’s not a problem dealing
salutes. A hero and a patriot.
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