920th Rescue Wing Respiratory Therapist Staff Sgt. Marja Plays Significant Role During COVID-19 Pandemic
By Chief Master Sgt. Len Werner, 920th Rescue Wing // May 10, 2020
has exemplified herself by providing expert level of care in New York City’s hardest-hit areas
BREVARD COUNTY • PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA – On April 30, 2020, General Terrance J. O’Shaughnessy, Commander, United States Northern Command, conducted a visit with members on the front lines of various hospitals in New York City.
While there, General O’Shaughnessy presented SSgt Marja a commanders coin to recognize her hard work.
SSgt Marja, a respiratory therapist from the 920 Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Patrick AFB, Florida, is currently assigned to the 64th Air Expeditionary Group, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
She has exemplified herself by continuously providing an expert level of care in one of New York City’s hardest-hit areas.
SSgt Marja quickly incorporated herself into the operational staff at Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx, lending her respiratory therapist skills to ventilated patients in the fight against COVID-19.
Upon arrival, in the hospital, she immediately established liaison with hospital administrators and facilitated emergency privileging for 30+ Health Care Providers in less than 48 hours.
Additionally, SSgt Marja had a remarkable patient save on April 16, 2020. She was able to respond to an alarm for a patient that was not assigned to her and quickly recognized an emergent situation related to an endotracheal tube which had become dislodged in an unstable patient.
She promptly provided lifesaving interventions, re-intubation and then elicited additional assistance to provide more definitive care.
Her attention to detail and quick thinking prevented almost certain and imminent death for this patient.
Related Story:920th Rescue Wing’s Aeromedical Staging Squadron Headed to New York City to Assist COVID-19 Response
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