Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation

The Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (MEIR) Course is taught by the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI), Uniformed Services University of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). The Course is designed to improve the operational capabilities of the military services by providing medical and operational personnel with up-to-date information concerning the biomedical consequences of radiation exposure, how the effects can be reduced, and how to medically manage casualties. The training has recently been updated to include information about and lessons learned from the Fukushima Dai ichi incident in Japan.

The postgraduate-level course is beneficial for military physicians, nurses, CBRNE specialists, health physicists, medical planners, and first responders. It addresses the following topics: the physical principles of ionizing radiation, ionizing radiation interactions with cells and organs, management of internal contamination, late effects, and diagnosis and treatment of acute radiation syndrome and combined injury. Students will become familiar with the effects of radiological/nuclear weapons, radiological terrorism, and radiation accidents, as well as the psychological effects of nuclear detonation, both real and perceived, and the logistics of radiation incident response. The instructors will also demonstrate the use of RADIAC equipment and on-line radiation resources, the Biodosimetry Assessment Tool (BAT) and the First Responder Assessment Triage (FRAT) software programs.

The standard 3 day MEIR course is taught regularly at military installations domestically and abroad. See the AFRRI web site for the current schedule at https://www.usuhs.edu/afrri/meircourseschedule Upon request, the MEIR can be extended or condensed to meet the needs of the target audience.

Continuing Education Credits
The U.S. Army Medical Command is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. This activity has been submitted to Army Nurse Corps (ANC-CHEP) for approval to award contact hours. The Army Nurse Corps is an approver of continuing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center COA. The Standard MEIR Course (3 days) usually awards approximately 22 CME or CNE credits.

Registration and Fees
To register for this course, visit the AFRRI web site at https://www.usuhs.edu/afrri/meirregistration
There are no Tuition or Registration fees for any student regardless of level, position, or association. Civilian personnel will need to arrange base access if the course is held on a military base. Your local administrative office is responsible for your travel orders. For more information about AFRRI, the MEIR Course, or MEIR training products, visit the AFRRI web site at http://www.usuhs.edu/afrri.

To ask questions or to request a course at your site, please visit our website and complete the host request form or email the course coordinator at AFRRI through the link on-line.

Call Ms. Nina Barr (301) 295-2950 or email nina.barr@usuhs.edu with any additional questions.

Course Location: Madigan Army Medical Center, 9040 Jackson Ave. Tacoma, WA 98431- Letterman Auditorium

POC is MAJ Thomas Costeira, thomas.j.costeira.mil@mail.mil or SSG Clayton Lemke, clayton.j.lemke.mil@mail.mil.