MDDF 10th Medical Regiment Surges to Support Covid-19 Response
September 12, 2020
10th Med Regiment Bridge Team Training - Fit Testing
The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) 10th Medical Regiment’s (10th Med) mission in part is to serve as a “health and medical services organization of excellence dedicated to serve the nation, state, local civil authorities and communities within Maryland.” The 10th Medical Regiment operationally provides medical and healthcare support to the Maryland Military Department and augments the State of Maryland’s medical and health infrastructure in a variety of ways. The unit also provides volunteer medical surge capacity support to civil authorities.
The 10th Medical Regiment’s roster includes personnel with a variety of health related specialties. The unit includes a flight surgeon, a paramedic, a physical therapist, nurses, physician assistants, emergency medical technicians and social workers. Their team also includes medical logisticians, allied health professionals and mental health professionals. This unit diversity enables the 10th Med with capabilities that include medical, health and psychological care in addition to incident command support and instructional training. Other capabilities include emergency management exercise evaluation, crisis communication and disaster resource management.
During normal times, the 10th Med is tasked with providing medical and health support to the Maryland National Guard. The 10th Medical Regiment personnel perform physical examinations at Aberdeen Proving Ground and mental health evaluations at Camp Fretterd Military Reservation for the Maryland Army National Guard. General healthcare support is also provided to members of the Maryland Air National Guard at Warfield Air Base. Other support is provided as needed to the Civil Air Patrol Tri-Wing, Freestate ChalleNGe Academy and the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps.
As a part of the State of Maryland’s Covid-19 pandemic response, the 10th Medical Regiment was asked to do much more. “We needed to surge to increase the medical infrastructure capacity of the Maryland Military Department,” shared Maj. (MD) John H. Green who is the commanding officer of the 10th Med. “Our operational tempo increased significantly with Covid-19 related missions but concurrently we could not ignore our regular missions,” he continued. “The challenge was compounded by the fact that our unit personnel are medical and healthcare professionals who also had increased responsibilities in their civilian jobs,” added Maj. (MD) Harold Bailey who is the unit’s executive officer. “However, nobody complained about the pressures coming from all sides, they just got to work,” Bailey continued.
During the Maryland National Guard’s Covid-19 response effort also known as Operation Steadfast Guardian, the MDDF 10th Medical Regiment provided support in a number of important roles. Unit members served on the Joint Task Force and the Joint Staff performing medical, planning, instruction and liaison roles. Unit members also supported National Guard logistics operations and manned the MDDF operations center. In addition, 10th Medical Regiment personnel served as planning and liaison officers with the Maryland Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Medical Reserve Corps. In sum, the 10th Medical Regiment provided 1,532 volunteer man hours to the State of Maryland which saved the state nearly $120,000. “More importantly, I’m really proud of the fact that we were able to step up and help to save the lives of our fellow citizens,” commented Maj. (MD) Green.
“We are extremely proud of the work of the 10th Medical Regiment. It’s no surprise that they were able to meet the challenge,” shared Brig. Gen. (MD) Gregory J. Juday, commanding general of the MDDF. “Over the last five years they have been awarded a total of 31 President’s Volunteer Service Awards for their consistent contributions to the State of Maryland,” Juday continued. “Although the 10th Medical Regiment’s role in Maryland’s initial Covid-19 response has downsized, the fight against the coronavirus is far from over. If needed again, the 10th Med stands ready,” Juday concluded.
