JAC Soldier re-enlists, thanks British medical team

  • Published
  • By Peter G. Park
  • JIOCEUR Analytic Center
CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom --  U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Stanford re-enlisted Oct. 11 in front of an image guided, intensity modulated radiology machine at Addenbrookes National Health Service Hospital in Cambridge, United Kingdom, with his family and oncologist Dr. Sarah Jefferies.

"I want to re-enlist here at Addenbrookes because the radiotherapy machine is just one step in this process that is giving me back a normal life. I also wanted to show my appreciation to the hospital for everything they have done for my family and U.S. forces in the U.K.," said Stanford, a senior noncommissioned officer serving at the United States European Command Joint Intelligence Operations Center - Europe Analytic Center at Royal Air Force Molesworth, United Kingdom.

Having been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, the 14-year Army combat veteran began treatments with Jefferies in January of 2011. He had extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy and was hospitalized four times due to the disease and treatments.

"It is one of the toughest treatments we use and he bravely went though it all (without complaining) and with superb support from his wife Abby and his children," Jefferies said. "I was extremely moved by the re-enlistment ceremony taking place in the Tomotherapy Unit and to see Jason back in uniform."

Stanford said, "[Jeffries] was upfront that this was going to be a tough treatment process. Dr. Jefferies is someone who is very passionate about her job and I believe looks forward to coming into work to help people."

During the ceremony, U.S. Army Col. Matthew P. Glunz , JAC commander, presented Jeffries with a certificate of appreciation, saying, "There's a special bond between Soldiers and health care professionals - from combat medics in the field to sophisticated medical specialists such as Dr. Jefferies and her team here at Addenbrookes Hospital. Dr. Jefferies and the health care professionals here have enabled this Soldier to continue his career of service to our nation. The medical support that our American military members receive here in the U.K. is world class."

U.S. service members and dependents in the U.K. receive most of their care from U.S. military clinics and a U.S. Air Force hospital at RAF Lakenheath. The U.S. military in the United Kingdom relies on the British National Health Service, on a cost reimbursable basis, for care in certain medical specialties, such as oncology, not available in the U.S. Air Force hospital.

Stanford is now awaiting orders to this next assignment with a Warrior Training unit either back in the U.S. or in Germany.