The fourth annual Joint Medical Modeling and Simulation Exposition, held at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, provided spectators and vendors the opportunity to view and discuss the latest technological advancements in medical training, June 22.

The event allowed the Navy Medical Modeling and Simulation Training (NMMAST) team, along with their partners at Air Force Medical Modeling and Simulation Training (AFMMAST) who coordinated and hosted the event, to observe several different companies' most up-to-date training tools at one time.

"The expo is a unique opportunity for Navy Medicine education and training leaders to see a number of medical modeling and simulation tools of the future dedicated to the adult learner," said Cmdr. Typhanie Kinder, NMMAST director. "Some of the new medical modeling and simulation tools we are seeing today will no doubt contribute to saved lives on the battlefield in the future, which is what medical education and training is all about."

Demonstrations set up by various vendors included everything from full-body mannequins controlled remotely from tablets, to detailed eye and ear simulators which provide students with life-like examples of hundreds of possible scenarios in patients.

According to Scott Woodcox, NMMAST deputy program manager, the vendors were carefully selected based on their ability to support the training needs and mission of military medicine's education and training enterprise.

"Most of these vendors understand what we're trying to do," he said. "So they're here, the leadership gets to see them, and we get to talk to them. It's a good relationship and it's a good thing we do this every year because we can find out what updates and new technology are coming out."

Reporting directly to Navy Medicine Education and Training Command (NMETC), NMMAST is responsible for providing the Navy with appropriate medical modeling and simulation training equipment and programs at different sites around the world.

"The big thing we do is make sure everyone gets what they need according to their requirements," said Woodcox. "The actual requirements are important because if you're teaching a course and there's a cost involved, you want to touch on the things that are most important. What we do is make sure the right simulators get to the right area and everyone fills their requirements."

The expo was open to senior leadership in San Antonio, including NMETC Commander Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, providing them the opportunity to see first-hand the tools and resources used at their respective training sites.

After the leadership walk-through in the morning, the doors were opened to the public the rest of the day.

NMETC is an Echelon 3 flag headquarters command that manages Navy Medicine's formal education and training programs. NMETC is part of the Navy Medicine team, a global health care network of navy medical professionals around the world who provide high-quality health care to eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ships, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

For more news from Navy Medicine Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.