By Randy Cook, AMI COO

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The country is witnessing our healthcare professionals transform into a battle tested force engaged in a global counter insurgency. COVID-19, unlike combatant insurgents, is invisible- spreading its crippling impact at unprecedented rates. This has forced the reinvention of public health policy and activities, from federal and state governments rapidly developing public and private partnerships to co-developing public health planning and execution. In addition, providing facilities, supplies, and clinicians to bolster depleting healthcare capacity. In the center of all this revolution are firms such as AMI, who are establishing medical task force ‘teams,’ big and small, taking healthcare professionals from lesser affected regions and deploying as ‘force multipliers’ to areas of need. Just like a traditional counterinsurgency, forward deploying skilled teams into regions to link up with local forces and develop shared tactics, techniques, and procedures – getting into the fight as one cohesive force of integrity, stability and incredible skill. AMI’s approach continues to be – develop, equip, train, and deploy these teams for maximum impact against the threat and relief for the current force in the battle.

Transforming an otherwise atypical office environment into a full scope Tactical Operations Center (TOC) overnight takes more than a village – it takes a powerhouse tribe. As the needs started developing, AMI recognized early on that in order to maintain pace with the deteriorating situation, a company transformation was essential, and needed overnight. Accomplishing this required non-traditional as well as conventional approaches in scaling. Coupling these together have proved vital to the success in achieving the intended goal.

Leveraging an extensive network of enabling partners, AMI rapidly transformed the office setting of yesterday into a functional 24/7 Operations Center. Clearly time was and still is of the essence, therefore, the luxury of drawn out interviewing of talent was not an option. This is where the ‘Tribe’ comes in.

AMI’s various enabling partners immediately stood up to the cause shuffling obligations to provide award-winning surge support, while internally AMI reallocated program resources to meet this growing challenge head on. Merging all these internal and external organizational personalities and skillsets into an active TOC has been an amazing transformation to watch. Moreover, witnessing the result of successful operations in areas like Kirkland, WA, San Carlos and San Diego, CA and as far away as Mogadishu, Somalia has been incredible.

The team at the helm of AMI’s COVID-19 response is one of the most capable forces in this effort and continues to grow stronger daily. Leading the clinical pillar is Dr. Tom Crabtree, program management is Dean Coppola, Tim Ferrie, Arriana Furr and Juno Partners are leading an army of recruiting and HR professionals – all connected to an ecosystem of operational functions that prepare, equip, train, and deploy tactical teams for maximum value proposition. On site, AMI has key leaders such as Ryan Azcueta and Cindy Nelly leading the charge. This is truly an ‘all hands-on deck’ approach with AMI’s Executive Chairman, Dr. Andrew Walker, joining the team for real-time support and strategic collaboration. Now, after retiring from Naval Special Warfare after 20+ years, I was unsure of when I may encounter another group who truly embraced what it means to be in a ‘Team.’ In that time of my life we all met everything we did with three simple principles of priority, in this order:

1. Team (Mission)

2. Teammate

3. Self

When everyone follows these principles, you never have to worry about yourself – because the entire team is doing that for you. And the mission remains the focus of all. Today, I can say that in a few short weeks the team leading the effort at AMI and the teams in the field are displaying this daily. And I could not be prouder of this ‘Tribe.’

The current norms are mind-blowing and frankly eerie when set against the backdrop of an insurgency, however, there is comfort to be found. As I write this, I am on a small commuter jet and one of six passengers, working my way from Dulles to Chicago via. Columbus. Walking through Dulles Airport was empty and unnerving as though I was rolling through Matiga in Libya after it just reopened post militia clashes. And as this picture forms, I find confidence. Just like those frightening trips through the gauntlet to conflict zones in my former life – I and all of the health workers deployed under AMI, have the full support of an award winning Team of professionals, who’s mission focus is acutely aligned in the same simple order of principles as the world’s most elite forces.

So, for all the health workers going through the desolate gauntlet making your way to an area of need, or home from one, know you are not alone. There is a significant community of folks who share in your mindset in this fight. Though we are all taking it one day at a time, if teams such as ours maintain engaged in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic – there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Support healthcare workers and wash your hands!

Battling #covid19 takes a Tribe! Thank you Tom Crabtree Andrew Walker Juno Search Partners Tim Ferrie Arianna Furr Gina Ross, CAPM, PHR Christopher Watson Dean Coppola Ryan Edward Azcueta Cindy Nelly DNP just to name a few… AMI #emergencyresponse #covid19response #emergencymedicine