Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Executive Director Dr David Rosengren and RBWH Director of Emergency Medicine Dr Sean Rothwell visited the Talisman Sabre multi-national military exercise to see first-hand the valuable role of health reservists play in our defence forces.
Exercise Boss Lift examines heart of military life
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Executive Director David Rosengren, Director of Emergency and Trauma Centre Sean Rothwell and Director of Anaesthetics Kerstin Wyssusek were provided the opportunity to participate in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boss Lift exercise as part of Operation Talisman Sabre.
Operation Talisman Sabre is a series of military exercises that focus on the planning and conduct of “high-end” warfare. This year the exercise took place in the ADF Shoalwater Bay Training Area and surrounding state forests, near Rockhampton in Central Queensland.
The Boss Lift exercise is designed specifically for employers of military personnel, so they can experience what their staff do in their military roles, in turn encouraging understanding and support.
RBWH is proud to have many employees who play an active role in the Australian Defence Force. They come from all service lines and all professional streams and include eight full time (ADF permanent) and more than 45 part time (ADF Reserve) personnel. In the past year, RBWH employed reservists have committed more than 4,000 hours of time to their ADF commitments.
RBWH representatives were transported to Williamson Airfield in Shoalwater on a C-17 Globemaster III Military Transport Aircraft. Following their arrival, they spent the day at the RAAF Mobile Level 2 Hospital Facility where they had the opportunity to see Metro North’s military members in action.
Dr Rosengren said it was an incredible opportunity to see our clinicians using their highly developed skill sets in a different environment.
“We were able to gain a better understanding of the crucial role our staff play in the RAAF, as well as the complexities of the organisation,” he said.
“A number of the skills our staff learn in their military positions are transferrable to the RBWH environment, so it is incredibly beneficial for both organisations.
“We are proud of our status as the largest employer of Australian Defence Force healthcare personnel and look forward to continuing to build our relationship with the Australian Defence Force.”
Video courtesy Royal Australian Air Force.