The Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team (LAMAT) completed its mission in St. Lucia on March 8, 2024, following two weeks of intensive patient care alongside local medical professionals. Comprising 17 Air Force personnel, including surgeons, nurses, and technicians, the mission aimed to bolster healthcare capacities and foster collaborative relationships.
During their tenure in St. Lucia, the LAMAT team conducted a series of health initiatives and established strong bonds with their local counterparts. Notable achievements include performing 50 surgeries and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise, contributing to enhanced vascular surgery capabilities within local healthcare facilities, and benefiting patients across the region.
Reflecting on the mission, Dr. Jason Tobierre, a general surgeon at OKEU, emphasized the invaluable exchange of wisdom, stating, “This mission was truly transformative, fostering camaraderie, networking, and the timely utilization of knowledge. The long-term impact will extend beyond this island, benefitting communities across the region.”
The collaboration between U.S. Air Force personnel and 32 St. Lucian medical professionals enabled mutual training opportunities and the establishment of enduring partnerships. Dr. Lisa Charles, Director of Clinical Services at OKEU, remarked, “As the 17 LAMAT members prepare to depart, we are confident that this mission has solidified our special relationship with the United States military, rooted in knowledge exchange, humanitarian efforts, and commitment to partnership.”
Lt. Col. Devin Watson, LAMAT troop commander, described the mission as a defining moment in his career, highlighting personal growth and the profound impact of the experience. “This journey has been marked by immense personal development, presenting new challenges, triumphs, and relationships that will leave a lasting impression,” he noted.
Mission planners ensured comprehensive expertise exchange by assembling a diverse team comprising scrub nurses, post-anesthesia care unit nurses, biomedical engineering technicians, and other specialists.
Expressing gratitude for the collaboration, Watson acknowledged, “We extend our sincerest appreciation to our counterparts in St. Lucia for entrusting us with their patients’ care, treating us as respected colleagues, and sharing the pride, beauty, and joy of their country. This reaffirms our dedication to the noble pursuit of medicine.”
Dr. Charles echoed this sentiment, recognizing the indispensable contributions of the medical personnel involved. “While we are grateful for the generous donation of supplies, it is the expertise and dedication of our fellow medical professionals that made this humanitarian effort possible,” she affirmed.
In addition to St. Lucia, LAMAT 2024 conducted missions in Suriname and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Additional team members continued the mission in St. Kitts and Nevis until the end of March.