Fort Riley Flight Paramedics Given Rare, But Critical Training

              In a first at The University of Kansas Hospital and what is believed to be a rare event nationwide, Army flight paramedics from Fort Riley, Kan., received battlefield training using a cadaver donated to science.  Dr. John Alley, former military member and current surgeon at The University of Kansas Hospital said the training is vital. “You do in battle what you learn in training and the life-saving procedures being practiced can’t be effectively learned from a book or using simulator mannequins.” Dr. Lee Norman, chief medical officer at The University of Kansas Hospital and Kansas State Surgeon said in his discussions with the other 49 state surgeons, this is a rare training event with a hospital.  Dr. Norman added that one reason this training is rare is that it can be costly.  The hospital, together with the resources of the Medical School and the proximity to Fort Riley all played a key part in the training opportunity.  The University of Kansas Hospital Education Specialist Penny Glenn says it gives her and the medical staff great pride in helping to train service men and women who care for Kansans, in particular.  Video is TV friendly and shows medical staff helping flight paramedics to perfect their skills with procedures ranging from suturing to intubating.