MT. AUBURN, Ohio (WKRC) – The Ohio National Guard continues to expand its service in the Tri-State as hospitals try to manage the overload of patients in this omicron surge.
Local 12 got exclusive access today to go behind the scenes with members of the guard to share just how heroes are helping heroes save lives.
This expansion is helping to support staff and patients in so many ways. The team at The Christ Hospital Health Network told Local 12 Tuesday that the guard has been training for these types of operations for years.
Long before the pandemic began, Local 12 brought you Operation Cincinnati Smart.
“Strategic Medical Asset Readiness Training and this is a program where members of the military -- active, reserve, guard -- can spend time in our hospitals where they can get training in a specialty,” said Col. Brad Wenstrup with the U.S. Army Reserve.
Ohio Congressman Wenstrup told Local 12 that The Christ Hospital Team was part of the Smart Specialized Medical Training then, and it’s lent to the guards’ pandemic readiness now.
Makayla Scharber is from Clermont County. She says it’s hometown heroes helping other heroes, right where they live:
"It's amazing. I love doing this in my own community,” said Staff Sgt. Scharber with the Ohio Army National Guard. “This is my second deployment since COVID. I started out in the food banks, and now I'm here in the hospital."
In the hospital, the medically trained team helps with everything from testing to appropriate treatment, which frees up next-level providers for everything from COVID-19 care to heart interventions.
"You know, as leadership, you always want to make sure that your team has the resources that they need in order to fulfill their mission,” said Debbie Hayes, president and CEO of The Christ Hospital Health Network.
Wenstrup was just there to support the guard:
“This is an opportunity here today to when there's a thrust and shortage of staff to manage all the conditions that are coming in,” said Wenstrup.
But Maj. Eric Bailey, with the Ohio Army National Guard, has been there now for days as the guard continues to add members to meet growing demand.
"It's so nice to be part of this mission because we're all from Ohio,” said Maj. Bailey. “Most of these people are from the Cincinnati area. It's great. We're able to serve right in our backyard and make a difference, that's the goal."
The National Guard said they will stay as long as it's needed on this mission.