Team 5, a non-profit SOFMED veteran foundation that provides medical care in the most overlooked remote areas of the world, in cooperation with the Peruvian National Government, is heading to Peru for its next mission, Sept. 1-15, 2016. The team will consist of 5 medical professionals, a translator, logistics expert and film crew.
Heading into the Andean-Amazonian valley (VRAE), an area controlled by the military, the team will provide dental and medical care, out patient surgical procedures, and ultra-sounds for pregnant mothers. Supplies will then be donated to support the community’s medical needs after Team 5 departs. In addition to the medical care, there will also be a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (Tactical Medicine) course provided to the tactical medics of the Peruvian Air Force, Army and Marines.
The Peru Deployment consists of team members Eric Linder (Founder, RMP, FAWM), Brigit Draper (Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse), Keith R. (M.D./Remote Medical Physician), Dr. Kevin Smith (DDS/Surgeon), Leo Jenkins (Medic/TCCC Instructor), Laura Buitron (WEMT/Translator) , Matthew ‘Griff’ Griffin (Logistics/Operations), and Erika Rose (Translator).
“We are looking forward to a new partnership with the Peruvian Special Forces Units and the opportunity to train them in advanced techniques so they can save lives,” said Eric Linder, founder of Team 5. “Team make up includes a plastic surgeon, oral surgeon/dentist, remote medical practitioner, a Special Forces Medic and a Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse. In addition, we have a support team including logistics, translators & cameramen. Our sincerest thanks to all who have put in a serious effort to this mission, whether by assisting in logistics, financial, or in-kind products, as well as to the team for taking time away from their families to do something bigger than themselves.”
With a rotating crew of Active and Former Special Forces Units, Team 5 brings medical care and supplies to overlooked places throughout the world that are inhospitable and inaccessible to traditional aid organizations. During its last mission to Guatemala in April 2015, the Team successfully provided dental, de-worming, prenatal check ups, ultrasounds, treated infections, injuries, fevers, and provided outpatient surgical procedures. Watch the following video of their trip on Expedition Overland.
None of this would be possible without the dedicated sponsors who support Team 5 financially and with gear and medical supplies. The Peru Deployment sponsors include: Black Ice, Remington, MOTUS, Toyota, Black Rain, AmeriCares, Body Glide, Camelbak, Combat Flip Flops, Civco, Dream Quest Productions, Erathr3, Fighter, G Lock Perfection, Good To-Go, Gov X, HK, International SOS, KryptAll, Leatherman, Leki, MedAire, Multimat, MSR, NDOR, NEMO Equipment, Inc., Osprey Packs, Patagonia, Pro Med Kits, Proforce Equipment, Inc., Salomon, Skallywag Tactical, Smith Optics, Snugpak, SonoSite, Spike’s Tactical, Spot, Tac, Winkler Knives, North American Rescue and Triple Aught Design, and Yeti. If you’d like to support the Peru Deployment, you can purchase a limited edition patch here.
Author – Kate Ketschek
(featured image courtesy of team-5.org)
