Stateside Care of Marines and Sailors Injured in Iraq at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland

This article has been written by four staff members from the Critical Care Department at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. They are part of a large and extremely sophisticated medical response team who cares for the injured when they return to the United States. This article covers the interdisciplinary teamwork that is vital to the care of catastrophic war injuries and shows how detailed treatment plans are formulated for each casualty. It describes the unique and profound emotional responses of the staff members who are instrumental in the recuperation of the service member. It also tells of the joy of recovery from horrific injuries, and the intense dedication of staff members to the military wounded.