Paradise General

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In 2004, Dr. Dave Hnida, a family physician from Littleton, Colorado, volunteered for deployment to Iraq, serving as a battalion surgeon. He returned in 2007 as a trauma chief at a busy Combat Support Hospital (CSH) during the Surge. The CSH, staffed by older reservists, became a medevac destination due to its remarkable 98 percent survival rate. Operating in a makeshift environment, Dr. Hnida and his team focused on stabilizing the wounded for airlift to more comprehensive care. Here, the Hippocratic Oath took precedence over military allegiance; every patient received care, regardless of their background. The stark reality of treating both injured American soldiers and insurgents side by side was balanced by moments of levity, as the doctors coped with the relentless pressure through humor and camaraderie. Dr. Hnida's deployment was filled with remarkable colleagues who became trusted friends, all grappling with the psychological impact of war. Amid the chaos and complexity of conflict, this narrative offers a poignant glimpse into the life of a volunteer soldier striving to make a difference, infused with honesty, humor, and the resilience of those who faced the challenges of medical care in an unpredictable war.