Exam Room 1
As a health care provider in the Army, I have spent a large part of my career in Exam Room 1. My mission has been to ensure our soldiers are ready to deploy, and then take care of them when they return home. We have over 1600 soldiers in the WYARNG and about 6-8 providers who take care of every each soldier each year.
Exam Room 1 room is solid, it’s always there for me, and I always know what to expect from it. It comforts me when I don’t remember acronyms and reminds me that I’m there for my mission: to take care of our soldiers.
I love the white cylinder walls and that old poster of the fish in Wyoming hanging so awkwardly next to the anatomy of an ear. I love the tube of dried up KY jelly that rests innocently on the purple gloves. I leave it there just to make everyone giggle.
But most of all, I love this time with our soldiers. I love hearing their stories and helping them to connect with the right resource when needed.
Our soldiers are brave, selfless, and hard working. They are humble. They are my heroes. I signed up to join the Army right after 9/11. I have only known a wartime military. Serving those who defend my freedom is one of the greatest joys of my life.
More than seven years ago, SGT Byrd put artificial flowers on the desk for me in Exam Room 1. Although a little dusty, they’re still there.
And so is that line of soldiers outside of Exam Room 1.
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Disclaimer: Amy Surdam is a member of the Army National Guard. Use of her military rank, job titles, and photographs in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.
