Med Group members deliver aid to Nicaragua

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Gene Lappe
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Three members of the 7th Medical Group traveled to South America in February and March to provide medical assistance to those less fortunate. 

Captain (Dr.) Nick DuVall, 7th Aeromedical/Dental Squadron dentist, Staff Sgt. Christian Guillen, 7th ADOS dental technician, and Senior Airman Zachary Clemmons, 7th ADOS  optical technician, were among 19 other Air Force members from other Air Force bases and specialties who deployed to give free health care to Nicaraguan citizens during Operation New Horizon '07, a medical readiness exercise in Santa Teresa, Nicaragua. 

Doctor Duvall and Sergeant Guillen primarily performed tooth extractions and some fluoride treatments while Airman Clemmons provided eye exams and free prescription eye glasses. 

All together, the three Dyess Airmen alone treated nearly 2,000 people. The Airmen pulled 547 teeth and gave more than 1,500 eye exams. 

"It was a rewarding experience, humbling experience to use training for an appreciative population," said Doctor Duvall. "I was able to use my training to provide definitive dental treatment, relieve pain and stop infections." 

He added that he felt was important to take part in the exercise to help strengthen relations between Central America and the America. 

"It felt great to help the people of Nicaragua," said Sergeant Guillen. "Some of the people could not have (received) the level of care that we gave them because of their financial situation. It was great to see the relief in their faces once we pulled out a tooth or two that had been giving them pain for quite a while. It was very satisfactory to know we were making a difference." 

He primarily assisted Doctor DuVall doing teeth extractions, worked as a translator for some of the other doctors, and distributed medication to the locals. 

"It was a great experience," said Doctor DuVall. "It felt good to help."