DMACC Fire Science students (above) join Emergency Medicine residents from UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, as well as UnityPoint Emergency Medicine program leadership, DMACC instructors and members of a UnityPoint Health LifeFlight crew for a group photo during "Doc Ops Day" on Wed., July 10, 2024, at the DMACC Ankeny Campus.
The inaugural class of Emergency Medicine residents from UnityPoint Health – Des Moines (above) gather for a hands-on "Doc Ops Day" Training event on Wed., July 10, at the DMACC Ankeny Campus. The training was hosted by the DMACC Fire Science, Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic programs.
The new Emergency Medicine Residency program at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, which welcomed its first six residents on July 1, helps close a geographic training gap as the first Emergency Medicine Residency program in Central Iowa and as one of only two such programs in the state. The three-year program is designed to help residents heighten their skills of triage and quick decision-marking, with an emphasis on the areas of critical care, EMS and rural medicine.
Dr. Brian Jennett (above, standing), Associate Director of the Emergency Medicine Residency program at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, welcomes program residents to "Doc Ops Day" Training at the DMACC Ankeny Campus. Dr. Jennett said his primary goals for the training were to help residents gain an appreciation for 1) the things that their patients go through before they get to the hospital; and 2) the skills and abilities of the emergency professionals who provide care to patients in the pre-hospital setting.
Dustyn Dickhaut (above, standing), Associate Dean of Health Science & Fitness at DMACC, welcomes the first class of Emergency Medicine residents from UnityPoint Health – Des Moines to "Doc Ops Day" on Wed., July 10, at the DMACC Ankeny Campus. During the training, the residents participated in a variety of exercises designed to help them better understand the role of first responders, including a Jaws of Life extrication, a forceable entry door simulation, an obstacle course while dressed in full emergency gear, entry into a smoke-filled building and use of a fire hose, and a LifeFlight helicopter extrication/handoff simulation.
First-year residents in the new Emergency Medicine Residency program at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines get put on full emergency gear during "Doc Ops Training."
Pictured above (left to right) are residents Dr. Joshua Waits, a graduate of the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and a native of Eau Claire, Wis.; Dr. Karli Smith, a graduate of the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and a native of Lamoni, Iowa; Dr. Gregory Redwinski, a graduate of the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and a native of Monticello, Ill.; Dr. Kai Rone-Friesen, a graduate of the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and a native of Lincoln, Neb.; Dr. Gabrielle Duncan, a graduate of the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine and a native of Waukee, Iowa; and Dr. Matthew Bentz, a graduate of the A.T. Still University Osteopathic Medical School and a native of Humboldt, Iowa.
DMACC Fire Science Instructors Cole Kleinwolterink (above, left) and Tyler Mark (above, right) lead Emergency Medicine residents from UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, through a training exercise during "Doc Ops Day." Kleinwolterink also works as a firefighter/paramedic with the Waukee Fire Department, while Mark is a firefighter/paramedic with the City of Des Moines.
Dr. Gabrielle Duncan (above, left), one of six residents in the inaugural class of the new Emergency Medicine Residency program at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines, shares a quick smile while getting geared up during "Doc Ops Day" Training. Dr. Duncan grew up in Waukee and graduated from Waukee High School in 2015. While in high school, Dr. Duncan also took college classes through the DMACC Career Advantage program, which she credits with giving her a great head start on her college education and helping her save both time and money on her educational journey to becoming a doctor. Dr. Duncan completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa, where she earned degrees in both biology and human physiology, before attending medical school at Des Moines University (DMU).
Brent Conklin (left center, kneeling), DMACC Fire Science Program Chair and Lead Instructor, demonstrates how to use a self-contained breathing apparatus while working with the first-year Emergency Medicine residents.
Dr. Joshua Waits (above) participates in a fire hose exercise during "Doc Ops Day" Training. Dr. Waits grew up in Eau Claire, Wis., and is a graduate of the Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
DMACC Fire Science Instructor Cole Kleinwolterink (above, standing) instructs Dr. Kai Rone-Friesen (above, kneeling) as he learns how to maintain control of a fire hose during one of several different "Doc Ops Day" training exercises. Certified fire hoses are tested to ensure that they can withstand the high pressures and temperatures that are commonly encountered in firefighting operations.
Dr. Matthew Bentz (above, left) and Dr. Gabrielle Duncan (above, right) pose for a triumphant photo after teaming up for the "Doc Ops Day" water hose training exercise.
Dr. Gregory Redwinski (above, left) is assisted by DMACC Fire Science Instructor Cole Kleinwolterink (above, center) while using a spreader to help force open and remove a jammed car door in a car accident simulation. Mad J Repair & Towing in Des Moines donated several damaged cars to be used during "Doc Ops Day" Training.
Dr. Karli Smith (above) breaks into a grin as she successfully pries open a door during a "Doc Ops Day" forceable entry simulation exercise on Wed., July 10, at the DMACC Ankeny Campus. Dr. Smith, who grew up in Lamoni, Iowa, is one of six residents in the inaugural class of the new Emergency Medicine Residency program at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines.
Dr. Matthew Bentz (above, left) and Dr. Gabrielle Duncan (above, right) work together to open a jammed door during a forceable entry simulation.
DMACC Fire Science Instructor Tyler Mark (above, standing) leads residents through an obstacle course exercise designed to simulate the challenges firefighters face when entering and attempting to move through a structure that is filled with heavy smoke and fire.
UnityPoint Health LifeFlight team members (above) talk with Emergency Medicine residents from UnityPoint Health – Des Moines and current DMACC Fire Science students shortly after landing a LifeFlight air ambulance helicopter in the middle of Parking Lot A during the July 10th "Doc Ops Day" Training at the DMACC Ankeny Campus. Dustyn Dickhaut (above, right), Associate Dean of Health Science & Fitness at DMACC, looks on.
Dr. Joshua Waits (above, left) practices loading a medical mannequin into the back of a LifeFlight air ambulance helicopter during a patient extrication and handoff simulation exercise during "Doc Ops Day."
Current DMACC Fire Science students gather around a LifeFlight air ambulance helicopter as a UnityPoint Health flight nurse (center, seated in helicopter) talks about careers in the field.
DMACC Diesel Technology instructors and students take a break from their classes to get a rooftop view of the UnityPoint Health LifeFlight air ambulance helicopter taking off from Parking Lot A behind Bldg. 14 on the DMACC Ankeny Campus. The Diesel Technology program helped clear the lot, which is typically filled with vehicles and heavy equipment, earlier in the day to help prepare for the LifeFlight simulation exercise during "Doc Ops Day" Training.
Contacts:
- Mark Tauscheck, UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, (515) 344-1097, mark.tauscheck@unitypoint.org
- Joel Otte, DMACC Paramedic Program Director and EMS/Fire Science Coordinator, (712) 249-6707, jhotte@dmacc.edu