Tag: Minot

New Volunteers at Military Treatment Facility continue Red Cross tradition

Referred to as the ‘clinic,’ the 5th Medical Group (5DG) on Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, offers all kinds of healthcare, including urgent care, routine wellness, internal medicine, women’s health, pediatrics and more, to around 12,000 active-duty military and their family members.  

“At one time or another, they all have to be seen,” says the 5DG’s Chief Nurse and Lt. Col. Donna Eaton, who’s also a Red Cross volunteer board member based in Minot. “Some providers see 80 to 100 patients a week.”

Pictured (l to r): Red Cross volunteers Kristin Settersten and Amanda Conte; Red Cross volunteer and First Lieutentant Ashley Manzano-Latorre; 5 MDG Chief Nurse and Lt. Col. Donna Eaton; 5 MDG Nurse and Lt.Col. Jessica Scirica, Red Cross SAF Regional Manager Lorie Herbal and Red Cross Executive Director Zoe Wergeland Manstrom at the 5 Medical Group (5 MDG), Minot Air Force Base, March 19, 2025. Photo: Lynette Nyman/American Red Cross

To help provide care at the clinic, the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region has launched a new volunteer program to the 5DG’s clinic. Three new volunteers – two of whom are licensed nurses – will help tend to patients just like regular nurses, or they will support projects, depending on their availability.

Take First Lieutenant Ashley Manzano-Latorre, an active-duty missileer who’s making time to volunteer. She helped to provide disaster relief during Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. “I like helping people,” she says. In addition to her career in the Air Force, Ashley plans to build on her education, training, and interest in healthcare.

Amanda Conte, also a new Red Cross volunteer, has a spouse who’s deployed to MAFB, which is home to the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing. She’s likely to have a role at the clinic in supporting pediatrics based on her professional nursing experience. “I want to keep up with my nursing skills and help out the military, be involved,” she says.

Support for the US military dates back to when American Red Cross founder Clara Barton tended to the ill and injured during the Civil War.

“Our Military Treatment Facility program is a continuation of that tradition,” says Lorie Herbel, Regional Manager of Service to the Armed Forces for the Red Cross in North Dakota. Two years in the making, she says, “We’re really happy to see this program come together at Minot Air Force Base. We’re thankful for everyone working together to help meet patient and clinic needs.”

  • Kristin Settersten
  • First Lieutenant Ashley Manzano-Latorre
  • Amanda Conte

The volunteer experience will be tailored, making it possible for them to do all kinds of things, including health promotion and prevention, says Lt. Col. and nurse Jessica Scirica. “I’ve been doing education and training for a very long time. It’s vital that we have a good relationship with the American Red Cross.”

Now that the new volunteers are through the screening, orientation and overall warm welcome, which was hosted at the base in March, the volunteers will have additional training at the clinic. With her years of experience in family medicine and women’s health, Kristin Settersten is eager for her assignment. “I always wanted to volunteer.”

For more about Red Cross services for military members, their families and veterans, click here. To learn about volunteer opportunities in the Minnesota and Dakotas Region, click here. To read more about our MTF program at Ellsworth AFB, click here.

Story and photos by Lynette Nyman/American Red Cross

Two Minot AFB Airmen Receive National Red Cross Awards

The Airmen’s contribution to the safety of their fellow citizens reflects the spirit of the American Red Cross by using action to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergency. Thanks to their Red Cross and emergency training, as well as their quick response and professionalism, Airman 1st Class Damian Cordoba and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Thompson were able to save two lives in their community and earn one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross.

Airman 1st Class Damian Cordoba (above left) of the 5th Medical Group saved a life while off duty and working a shift at local restaurant, The Starving Rooster, on November 8, 2022. When he realized that one of the restaurant’s patrons was choking, Cordoba rushed across the restaurant and, without hesitation, began performing abdominal thrusts on the man. After several attempts, the object was still in place so he began more abdominal thrusts and then performed a throat sweep, dislodging the obstruction. Photo from Minot AFB.

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Thompson (above right) of the 5th Security Forces Squadron saved the life of a fellow Defender while posted at Minot AFB’s South Gate, December 20, 2022. In an attempt to open a bucket of ice melt, the Airman utilized the knife part of a multi-tool. Thompson was manning the gate when he heard a loud crash and returned to see the Airman on the ground with what appeared to be a minor cut. Upon further inspection, Thompson realized that the Airman had sustained a severe arterial cut on his forearm. He instructed the Airman to apply pressure on the wound while he applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding until EMS arrived at the scene. Photo from Minot AFB.

Zoe Wergeland Manstrom (above left), executive director of the Western North Dakota Chapter of the Minnesota and Dakotas Red Cross, and Lorie Herbel (top right), Service to the Armed Forces Regional Program Manager, presented the awards to the Airmen at Minot AFB in June. To learn more about Red Cross lifesaving skills training click here.

Copy and photos used with permission from Minot AFB.

What’s truly Precious

Katryna Hunt had a bad feeling the morning of September 20, 2021 in Minot, North Dakota, but she left for work early anyway to make sure she was on time.

Her fiance’ TJ had just gotten home from his night shift and headed to bed. Soon after, the blaring sound of smoke alarms woke him. Maybe, he thought, their roommate Nick was cooking but then he saw the smoke and flames.

TJ called Katryna and all she could make out before they were disconnected was the word “fire”.  She immediately rushed home and when she arrived, she could see her home in flames – a fire had started outside on her porch.

Fortunately, TJ, Nick, her 11-year-old cat Precious and their pet lizard had safely evacuated with a few valuables.

Katryna Hunt’s mobile home in Minot, ND was destroyed by a fire that started on the porch.

Soon the Red Cross was on scene offering comfort and disaster assistance, including financial support, comfort kits, cleaning items and help finding immediate shelter. Red Cross assistance helped cover a two-week hotel stay that allowed for Precious to be with her.

“I was so worried about Precious because she has separation anxiety and would not have done well without being close to me. I was so grateful that they were able to find a hotel that allowed Precious!” said Katryna.

Katryna was happy that 11-year-old Precious made it out of the fire safely.

She credits working smoke alarms with saving their lives. “When I went back to get a few things and clean up I could hear the smoke alarm that was by the back door still faintly beeping –without these things could have ended much worse.”

Katryna feels fortunate everyone was safe. Despite soot covering their belongings, she was able to recover a few meaningful items, including her porcelain doll collection.

Red Cross volunteers were able to refer Katryna to another agency who helped her with a deposit for a new rental unit and the first month’s rent. In October, Katryna moved into her new home. One of her first calls she got was from the Red Cross congratulating her and checking to see if she needed anything.

“Red Cross volunteers followed up with me every day! It was so comforting to have someone check up on me because all my family is in Tennessee. I knew I wasn’t alone.”

Katryna feels lucky and hopes that her story helps raise awareness of the need for working smoke alarms. “Home fires can happen to anyone, anytime – having working smoke alarms is an easy thing we can all do to avoid the unthinkable.”

Make sure you and your loved ones are prepared for home fires, visit soundthealarm.org/mndaks.

Story by Sue Thesenga/American Red Cross. Photos courtesy Katryna Hunt.