Navy Medicine reserve personnel provided medical care for all athletes at the 2017 Department of Defense (DoD) Warrior Games, June 25-July 9.

Known as Expeditionary Medical Facility (EMF) Great Lakes, more than 35 Navy Medicine reserve personnel provided physical therapy, first aid and massage therapy, and administered medicine and acute care to the 295 wounded, injured, and seriously ill athletes competing in the 2017 DoD Warrior Games.

"In order to provide world-class care to every athlete, we divided the entire EMF into smaller medical units, which enabled us to provide a full range of medical services to athletes for the duration of the games," said Cmdr. Glenn Buni, lead medical planner for the 2017 games.

Throughout the 2017 DoD Warrior Games, EMF Great Lakes provided massage therapy to the athletes for injuries related to their pre-existing injuries. EMF Great Lakes also rendered treatment for new injuries incurred during the games, to include minor injuries and more significant lacerations.

"As part of EMF Great Lakes, we are trained to cover a variety of injuries," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Gregory Hannell. "We had physicians, corpsmen and physical therapists to handle any injury that arose."

The EMF program, formerly known as the fleet hospital program, was established in 1978 to provide shore-based medical support to the Navy and Fleet Marine Forces engaged in combat operations. Today, EMFs serve as in-theater hospitals to treat and administer lifesaving actions worldwide.

"As an EMF member, we are trained to care for casualties until a medical evacuation can transport an injured service member to a medical facility equipped to address any major medical issues the individual may have," said Hannell. "We used our training while at the Warrior Games and we were ready to respond in a moment's notice."

The medical support provided by EMF Great Lakes ensured the athletes could focus on their performance during the various events without concern for their health and readiness.

"The athletes are the primary focus of Warrior Games and our primary focus as an EMF was being present and ready to support them," said Hannell. "They were able to focus on the competition instead of worrying about their pre-existing injuries."

"As the lead medical planner, I believe the 2017 DoD Warrior Games were a success due to the diligence of every member of EMF Great Lakes," said Buni.

"Providing medical support to the Warrior Games athletes reinforced the pride I have in my Navy and service to my country," said Hannell. "I am greatly honored to have taken part in this incredible event and I am inspired by the spirit and determination shown by these incredible athletes."

The Warrior Games were created in 2010 as a way to enhance the recovery efforts of wounded warriors through the use of adaptive sports. The teams represented the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Special Operations Command, as well as the United Kingdom Armed Forces and the Australian Defense Force. The teams competed in a variety of events including cycling, archery, sitting volleyball, shooting, swimming, track and field, and wheelchair basketball.

Navy Medicine is a global health care network of 63,000 Navy medical personnel around the world who provide high quality health care to more than 1 million eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support aboard ship, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.

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