UB Softball Visits Fort Belvoir Community Hospital
3/1/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
WASHINGTON, DC – Prior to their weekend tournament at George Washington University, the University at Buffalo softball team visited the Traumatic Brain Unit at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital on Thursday afternoon. The new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital is part of an integrated health care network providing world-class medical service to the nation's wounded, active duty service members, retirees and family members.
UB junior Caitlin Dekker has a special connection to the hospital as both of her parents are doctors at For tBelvoir. Dekker's father, Tony, gave the team a tour of the facility, where they met various medical professionals as well as interacted with patients, giving them letters of thanks and flowers.
Freshman Karly Nevez got to try the Virtual Reality War Simulator, where they do therapy with patients who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.
"The experience today for myself and our team was very humbling," said junior Jessica Griffin. "It is so easy to take for granted the freedom we have so when the opportunity came along for us to give back we knew it was the least we could do today."
The Bulls were able to meet with Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Commander, Colonel Susan Annicelli, who in 1985 completed the Army Anesthesiology for Army Nurse Corps Program and was awarded an MSN from the University at Buffalo as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Colonel Annicelli's numerous military assignments include clinical positions at Fort Sam Houston, Fort Bragg, Fort Belvoir, the 18th Field Hospital, JTF Bravo (Honduras), National AMEDD Augmentation Detachment (Fort Gillem), 307th Medical Battalion (82ABN), 274th FST (44th Medical Brigade), and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She has received numerous awards and decorat
ions throughout her career and holds The Army Surgeon General's "9A" Proficiency Designator (Anesthesia) and is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit.
"It was really a great experience for me, the staff and the team," said head coach Jen Teague. "We we're able to learn a lot about post traumatic stress disorder as well as traumatic brain injuries. We got the opportunity to meet and give thank you cards and flowers to a few solders that were being treated. I thought it was really cool meeting Commander Annicelli. She is a UB grad so our girls had an opportunity to see an alumnus out in her profession and in a very important role. It was a very humbling and rewarding experience for all of us."
The Bulls will return to the softball diamond tomorrow as they begin play at the Colonial Classic when they face Army at 9:00 am. UB well then play George Washington at 11:30 am.
