12/12/2025
China Lake Corpsmen Strengthen Skills Through Case-Based Medical Training
Over the past couple of months, Lt. j.g. Christian Woodie, a physician assistant at NMRTU China Lake, led twice-weekly medical training sessions for junior hospital corpsmen. The program reinforced foundational skills such as patient history-taking, hand-offs, and documentation, while using case studies and hands-on practice in areas including back pain evaluation, cranial nerve and abdominal exams, headaches, and basic suturing. Corpsmen reported increased confidence in patient communication and clinical decision-making, applying new skills directly in the clinic. The training strengthened medical readiness, built a strong knowledge base for future roles, and prepared corpsmen for both routine and operational care.
"I figured it would be useful to describe a clinical scenario including a history and physical exam… rather than simply giving them the information without context. They enjoyed how they were able to apply what they had learned into a real clinical setting."
-Lt. j.g. Christian Woodie
“Based on some of the knowledge we learned from Corps School, he helped me understand so much on how everything in the body works together… identifying what might be going on with the patient by having us do realistic scenarios."
-Hospital Apprentice Larie Belle Urbano
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