131st CES helps Missouri ANG C-STARS program expand

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Stephanie Schmitt
  • 131st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Lambert IAP --  Members from the 131st Civil Engineering Squadron recently assisted the Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills and St. Louis University Medical Center with an expansion project.

The expansion included demolition and reconstruction of a multiple patient medical simulation center within the hospital.

When describing the new expansion, Lt. Col. Robert Bell, Missouri Air National Guard physician assistant said, "The 131st was great, they really made it happen."

The C-STARS simulations depict multiple patients having high velocity gun shot wounds, blast, and burn injuries.

C-STARS is a two week joint calloboration between the Missouri Air National Guard and the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine that was developed to train medical staff using computerized life-like mannequins and trauma scenarios that simulate patient care in combat environments.

The late Col. (Dr.) Michael Hayek, 131st Medical Squadron commander and director of trauma surgery at DePaul Health Center, strongly believed that military members should have a chance to receive training with these types of injuries prior to deployment, allowing them an opportunity to enhance their skills.

Col. Charles Fischer, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine commander, said, during the ribbon cutting ceremony, "This center deserves credit for the people that return [from combat] due to the training that is received here."

According to Bell, the C-STARS program was initiated over six years ago when the late Mr. Hayek realized that traditional guardsmen did not see injuries similar to the ones seen in combat.

Col. Jeffrey A. Bailey, director of the C-Stars program in St. Louis, explained, this center is the "new wave in medical training."

Approximately 380 students complete this program each year.