ER staffer responds to different call of duty
by Cindy AbolePublic Relations
When U.S. Naval reservist John Adams was called last December to serve his country, he had no idea he'd have less than 24 hours to prepare, leave his family and job responsibilities behind in Charleston. Instead, he focused on the adventures, potential risks and medical assessments that lay before him in the next real-time operations.
It's different work for the energetic clinical associate whose seven years work within MUSC's Critical Care and Emergency Services, Trauma Center is matched with a parallel commitment to country through his military medical experience. Adams was part of a presidential recall to active duty service in the Middle East.
Hospital
Corpsman first class John Adams, left, HM2 Adam Zielinski and a friend
pose beside an F-18 aircraft aboard the deck of the USS Harry S. Truman
somewhere in the Persian Gulf.
Adams is a member of Inshore Boat Unit Two attached to Naval Coastal Warfare Group Two out of Virginia. Earlier this spring, he received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal among a handful of military awards and honors for his efforts and dedication while protecting others in harm's way.
Prior to his duty assignment, Adams provided administrative support and other business duties for the Critical Care and Emergency Services Department. But like most weekend warriors, his second job is just as busy serving Uncle Sam each month as a Naval reservist.
In covert fashion, this specialty group is comprised of Mobile Undersea Warfare Units, inshore boat units with surface and subsurface surveillance and support throughout the world.
“I'm very proud to be able to perform the work I'm trained to do and prepared for,” said Adams, a Desert Shield/Desert Storm veteran who has more than 14 years Naval service. Reserve work has allowed Adams to travel the globe to take part in security missions in Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Turkey, New York and Charleston.
Trained
to provide medical support, both Adams and Zielinski must also provide
protection support under Naval Coastal Warfare Group Two headquartered
in Virginia.
A hospital corpsman first class, Adams received his orders Dec. 8 and was deployed to take part in a security and control mission in Saudi Arabia. Within 24-hours upon receiving orders, Adams packed his bags and was on his way for preparation and deployment in Virginia. He barely had enough time to inform his supervisor, Critical Care and Emergency Services director Mary Anderson, about his predicament.
“John is an asset to any department, especially our critical care team,” Anderson said. “He's a can-do kind of person; I can give him any problem or situation and trust him to complete it knowing it will be completed.”
The crew was deployed to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman as part of force protection with the Naval Special Warfare Task Group of Commander Logistics Forces and U.S. Navy Central Command. The unit spent 128 days in various areas of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other locations.
“It's very hard to leave family behind, my home, co-workers and unfinished projects without knowing when I'd return,” Adams said. “I'm deeply grateful to my family and work colleagues for their support.”
Meanwhile, back home, Adam's wife, Jennie, was holding down the home fort working and handling family affairs. During his deployment, Adams was allowed limited communication through e-mail that was monitored very closely.
“I really never realized how everyday things don't stop but continue when I left,” Adams said, who plans to continue his monthly reserves service until retirement. “It's even a harder adjustment for me and everyone involved when I return.”
In April, his reserve orders were cut short allowing him an early return and service just shy of five months. Once back in the States, he contacted Anderson at MUSC and learned that his job, a critical position with the business office, had been filled during his deployment. He was reassured by Anderson that a job slot was kept open in the department upon his return.
“Working with Human Resources, we coordinated plans to help place John upon his return,” Anderson said. “He was a good employee and it was our obligation to provide him with a comparable job that he was happy with in our department.”
Today, Adams' job as a clinical associate allows him to be versatile performs various tasks from handling business paperwork to transporting patients and assisting on trauma cases and within MUSC's Critical Care and Emergency Services.
“I feel my military training has helped me perform in the field and
in the hospital,” Adams said. “I'm ecstatic that MUSC has been able to
continue supporting my military service work, even when I'm called away
to deployment on short notices.”