Ronald Ryes2Ron just started at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in May 2014 when in August he was deployed to Afghanistan as a Navy Reserve. He had been deployed before to Peru, but never to an active combat zone. Ron would not return to Harbor for another 8 months. The moment he arrived in Afghanistan he was faced with challenges. His station was at the role 3 multi medical unit combat hospital, in Kandahar.

He tirelessly went from case to case in the OR. There was constant stream of victims of improvised explosive devices, gunshot wounds, mortar hits and motor vehicle accidents. A large amount of patients were delivered to the hospital via halo air evacuation. They were constantly under threat as militates would frequently target Red Cross and medical facilities. There  was never a time that you could put your guard down. During OR cases the facility was frequently under fire. The team cared for all the injured including, military friend and foe. The best part of the deployment was meeting and becoming friends with the medical team. The team came from all walks of life from many different countries, but all with the same mission to save lives.Ronald Ryes3

Being back at home he enjoys trying out new res taurant’s with this wife and son. They are not timid to drive a few hours just to try out new cuisine. One day, he hopes to return to school for a nursing degree. Till then he will continue to work hard at Harbor, play guitar in a band, spend time with his family and continue to serve in the Navy Reserves. For more information, Ron will present your department with a remarkable power point on his experience  with Military Medicine in Afghanistan. Contact him at: desert.fox1728@gmail.com

by Erika Sweet, NP