by Maggie Fitzgibbon
Elizabeth Feltner, M.D. practices family medicine in Spencerport, but what many do not know is that she is a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps. Photograph by Walter HorylevShe’s a hometown doctor with a passion for caring for others.
Elizabeth Feltner, M.D., is a well-known physician who practices family medicine in Spencerport, but what many do not know is that she is a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps.
She entered the Army in the fall of 2009 and since then has been on a whirlwind of rigorous military training exercises including two assignments.
“I endured a month of basic training. I had to learn weapon care, and besides the marches and brutal physical fitness tests, I had to learn how to walk, talk and act like a military person,” Dr. Feltner explained. “I lived for over two weeks in the field with 40 other women. We would wake up at 5 a.m., do push ups in the snow and 23 degree weather and in the afternoon run in 90 degree heat,” she added.
For some, these drills of endurance might have tested their spirit, but for Dr. Feltner, this inspired her to serve others, and she carried on. Her commitment to the Army includes yearly two-week missions along with monthly weekend drills. During the monthly drills, her unit is mobilized and conducts field training.
While her monthly drills give her the chance to practice her skills, it’s during these missions where her abilities and her Hippocratic Oath come alive. Her first assignment sent her to live on an Indian reservation in South Dakota. This was an opportunity for her to care for people who had a wide variety of medical needs.
“We provided health, nursing, dental hygiene, pharmacy, even some veterinary services to the Indian people who live on this reservation. During this assignment, the doctors and nurses learned from each other. This was an extraordinary experience because the people absorbed us into their culture,” Dr. Feltner said.
Dr. Feltner’s most recent mission took her to Hohenfels, Germany for 18 days. Her unit was assigned as the back-up medical unit for other units training to go to Kosovo, located in Balkan Mountains in Europe.
“We assessed and treated soldiers with broken bones, infections and some with more serious medical issues. Coordination of care was an important step in helping these soldiers,” Dr. Feltner said. During this mission, her unit also provided care to others like Albanian foreign nationals. “These people do not have any medical care and were so grateful for our help,” she said.
The unit also took part in mass casualty scenarios, and learned how to prioritize, triage, diagnose, stabilize, transport and determine ‘next steps’ for soldiers. All of these drills were based on true situations.
“This was a test of our abilities, to think quickly and assess each patient. It’s amazing to me how far medical care has come. We have mobile medical kits and we can set up a full operating hospital in one hour,” she said.
Elizabeth Feltner takes a moment to relax in the barracks during basic training in Texas. Her duties as a commissioned Army officer have included two assignments, one in South Dakota and one in Germany, in addition to monthly field training exercises. Provided photoDr. Feltner is passionate about serving in the Army. “We take so much for granted here in America. I feel I owe something to my country. Only one percent of our population serves in the Armed Forces,” she said.
Military service is a Feltner family tradition. “My Dad was a World War II Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) surgeon. I have two brothers who served in the Marines in Viet Nam. My brother, Jon, was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Silver Medal of Commendation for his service and my brother, Geoff, has remained active in the Marines as a commander of the local Marine Reserve. My Dad was my inspiration to go into the medical field,” Dr. Feltner said.
Dr. Feltner’s decision to enter the Army was one she took very seriously. Her children had entered college and she wanted to grow personally and professionally.
“The Army gives me a unique opportunity to challenge myself, both as a physician and as a person,” Dr. Feltner said.
She’s been practicing medicine in the area for over 20 years and looks to continue both her careers. “I love my practice. Some of my patients are people who I went to school with,” she added with a smile.
What does the future hold for this Unity Family Medicine at Spencerport physician and Army doctor?
“This experience is the most valuable thing I’ve ever done. It’s eye-opening what young people are giving up. The training, experience and exposure are phenomenal and the medical knowledge that I gain by serving in the Army is such a benefit to my practice,” Dr. Feltner said.
