Eight members of the medical detachment of the Nebraska National Guard toured the biocontainment unit and visited the iEXCEL visualization hub at UNMC on Jan. 24.
The visit was not only informational but opened the door for future training opportunities for the guard members, who were particularly impressed with the augmented and virtual reality simulated e-learning modules.
The medical unit responds to man-made and natural disasters, said Lt. Col. Raymond Shaddy, commander of the unit.
“Our most recent deployment was to help in Texas during Hurricane Harvey,” Lt. Col. Shaddy said, adding that training is crucial to the work they do.
Training with simulators in live exercises allow the guardsmen and women to slow down, really learn the technique and focus on the situation at hand, said Sgt. Shea Harkness, senior medic with the unit.
“So when we are in those high stress situations we don’t panic because our training takes over,” Sgt. Harness said.