A week ago I received an email with some great news....
Dear Timothy R. Martin,
- The purpose of this letter is to inform you of your medical clearance status to the polar regions. Janet Regier, MD, Medical Director of the Health Unit at the National Science Foundation has approved your medical clearance on November 14, 2008. You are physically qualified for the 2009 season.*
This is great news considering the amount of paper work I filled out and sent to the National Science Foundation doctors. So what do doctors need to know if you are headed to a place where it may take days to respond to a 911 call? Pages and pages of information! Here is a sample from the letter that I had to present to my doctor and dentist.
Dear Doctor:
Because of the harsh conditions, remoteness, and limited availability of health care, NSF requres medical and dental screening for deployment to Lake El'gygytgyn Russia. Screening can identify conditions that are difficult or impossible to manage in the field.
* Lake El'gygytgyn is located 100km north of the Arctic Circle in Chukokta, one of the most remote portions of Russia. The climate can be extreme with temperatures dropping to -40 in January... From December through early February, the region is in 24 hours of darkness and extreme cold. Access to the lake is by helicopter from Pevek, Remote helicopters for medical evacuations are sometimes available in Anadyr.*
* Persons who fail to meet medical or dental screening will be notified of their disqualification....*
Pages of medical history and a complete physical were required by NSF
So what are the medical requirements? Besides an eight page medical history form that asks about everything from scars and tattoos to family history and emotional stability, a full physical exam is required, which must include: examination of heart, pulmonary system, visual exam, full blood tests (for over 25 different conditions!), TB test, EKG heart tracing, updated immunizations for Tetanus, Influenza, and Hepatitis.
Then on to the dentist!
Full X-rays and dental history were reviewed by NSF doctors.
Participants must be free of dental or periodontal disease, Wisdom teeth must be extracted if there is any potential for problems, and (here is the big one for Middle and High school students!) Candidates with orthodontic appliances or undergoing active treatment will be considered NOT dentally qualified! (Sorry... all of you who have braces are not qualified!)
One of the many blood samples taken to evaluate my health.
Well, after having nurses drain what seemed like half of my blood, all my blood tests were clear! As far as dental work, I do not have braces and years ago, my wisdom teeth were removed. With regards to medical and family history, I am thankful that my family and I are all in good health.
This leaves only one problem...with a Siberian weather forecast of temperatures around -30 degrees, some of my students (especially in my 01 section) are questioning my emotional stability...