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Matters of the Heart
(April 17, 2011) | 
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Capt. (Dr.) Jason Saucedo, battalion surgeon,
2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to 1st Advise and
Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, reviews a prescription for
a soldier during sick call at the battalion aid station on
Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Kirkuk, April 9, 2011. |
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq (4/13/2011) – “You know,
you work so hard for so long. It's not the award, but being
recognized amongst the whole unit,” said Capt. (Dr.) Jason Saucedo
regarding the Army Commendation Medal he received during a ceremony
at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, April 9.
Saucedo,
battalion surgeon, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to
1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, received
the ARCOM for the care he provides to “Thunderhorse” battalion
Soldiers as well as being selected for a cardiology fellowship at
Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
As
battalion surgeon, Saucedo, a Santa Teresa, N.M. native, said his
responsibilities revolve around medical readiness and identifying,
diagnosing, and giving out treatment plans for soldiers and ensuring
everyone remains up-to-date on vaccinations.
“When you first
meet him, it's apparent he's a competent and knowledgeable doctor
who's passionate about helping soldiers and training medics,” said
1st Lt. Jordan King, medical platoon leader, HHC. “We were fortunate
to have that caliber and level of character in our platoon. I
recommended him for the ARCOM and I'm definitely happy to see he got
it.”
Saucedo is a committed worker with a promising future at
Brooks AMC, said King, a Hudson, Ohio, native.
“When I was
younger my grandfather always had heart problems and that put an
idea in my mind—the heart,” Saucedo said, remembering the
inspiration behind his interest in cardiology. “As I |
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grew up, I learned more in my studies in college and medical school
... and that increased my interest in cardiology.” |
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Saucedo said his interest in cardiology also spawned from its need for
problem solving skills. As a cardiologist, he said his job requires him
to listen to the heart, look at electrocardiograms, analyze X-rays and
conduct special heart studies before putting all that information
together to deliver a diagnosis.
A doctor is like a detective
looking for all the clues to discover what is wrong with patients,
Saucedo remarked.
Saucedo, a doctor of six years, said he is
scheduled to begin his fellowship, July 1. In his absence, Saucedo said
he hopes his medics continue to take opportunities for self development.
Being selected for the fellowship demonstrates that medical training
never stops and there is always something new to learn, Saucedo said,
hoping to set an example for his comrades.
“You don't have to
stay in that one position, you can always improve yourself and obtain
that higher level, and education keeps that progression going,” said
Saucedo. “Sometimes a person just has to be given the chance to do
something big and they won't ever know what they can do unless they
try.”
Cpl. Jose Martinez-Roque, a Bayamon, Puerto Rico, native
and healthcare non-commissioned officer, HHC, said Saucedo played an
integral part in the battalion aid station's success, and he hopes to
follow Saucedo's example.
Though the battalion is losing a
trusted mentor, Brooks will gain an experienced teacher, said Martinez-Roque.
“Overall, he's an awesome provider, teacher and mentor,” Martinez-Roque
said. “He loves to teach and emphasizes having the medics better our
skills and knowledge at the battalion aid station.” | |
Article and photo By Army Spc. Kandi Huggins
1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
Copyright 2011
Provided
through DVIDS
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