HONOLULU, Hawaii –
A Pacific Command (PACOM) Senior Medical Military Delegation, which included Rear Adm. Colin Chinn, PACOM Surgeon and Brig. Gen. Patrick Sargent, U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) Surgeon/Commanding General, Pacific Regional Medical Command (PRMC), along with other PACOM component surgeons, conducted a visit to the People's Republic of China, Jan. 5-12, 2015.
During the visit, the delegation conducted senior staff discussions with People's Liberation Army (PLA) Health Department and Academy of Military Medical Sciences leadership.
The U.S. Military Medical Delgation also toured military hospitals, medical universities, and visited cultural sites such as the Great Wall and the Teracotta Warrior and Horse Museum.
The visit was aimed towards building upon PACOM and USARPAC efforts to leverage the influence of Military Medicine in relationship building with China; opening the door to more consistent engagements between the PLA and Military Medicine.
People's Liberation Army medical leaders expressed their interests in future discussions to examine Army Medicine's approaches to Aero Medical Evacuation (AEROMEDEVAC), trauma surgery, nursing, and Combat Casualty Care capabilities.
The PLA were also eager to discuss the intricacies of establishing an enlisted medical corps, as well as, engaging with the Army Medical Department Center & School in San Antonio, Texas on training opportunities for their providers.
The PACOM delegates expressed interest in collaborating on East-West integrated medical solutions that may help Army Medicine reduce beneficiary dependency on multiple medications as courses of therapy.
This delegation visit has opened the door to more consistent engagements with the Chinese and improved collaborations in regards to medical training.