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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories The hidden costs of GMO labeling Restaurant Inspections Since You Asked: Medford has noisy dogs covered Emergency services Man charged with starting Weed, Calif., fire Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Man charged with starting Weed, Calif., fire Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service Barn fire may have been human-caused Emergency services Politics and Elections Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Commissioner candidates Talbert, Roberts duel for endorsements Falls: Jackson County sheriff's race isn't over Former sheriff calls Winters' retirement decision 'very wise' Will 'GMO effect' shape election? 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Infill is the answer to growth issues ... Guest Opinion: Who’s really to blame for 2014 wildfires? ... Our View: It's time to legalize marijuana ... Infill is the answer to growth issues ... Guest Opinion: Who’s really to blame for 2014 wildfires? ... Presidential visit leaves a lasting impression St. Marys graduate accompanies Obama as he spoke with wounded soldiers at German hospital The intensive care unit was uncomfortably hot, and an unpleasant odor permeated the room where a sedated burn patient was undergoing treatment. By paul fattig MailTribune.com By paul fattig Posted Jun. 7, 2009 @ 12:40 am By paul fattig Posted Jun. 7, 2009 @ 12:40 am » Social News The intensive care unit was uncomfortably hot, and an unpleasant odor permeated the room where a sedated burn patient was undergoing treatment. But that didn't stop the visitor from donning a surgical gown and gloves and entering the room. "He didn't have to go in there — it took a lot of time to put the stuff on," observed surgical nurse Alexandra Tomlinson, a 2004 graduate of St. Marys High School in Medford. "The room is so hot, almost 110 degrees. It smelled bad because of the drainage." The Friday night visitor was President Barack Obama. The ICU was in the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where many soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan are taken for treatment. Tomlinson, 22, the daughter of Daniel and Julie Tomlinson of Medford, is a second lieutenant who arrived at Landstuhl early in March after joining the Army last October. "The president came in and stood next to him (patient) and talked to him, telling him what an inspiration he was, that he was a hero and that our country would do a lot to restore him back to his whole," she said. "It was truly amazing to be part of that," she added. The patient was one of six young American soldiers who received Purple Hearts from the president during the two hours he spent at the center. Obama met with dozens of other wounded soldiers as he toured hospital wards and a recreation center for recovering troops. Lt. Tomlinson, a graduate of Azusa Pacific University in Southern California, had spent the past week working with the burn patient. Citing patient confidentiality, she declined to give his name or rank. She said only that he was an enlisted man her age and had extensive burn injuries to more than 40 percent of his body from a blast in Afghanistan. "I've cared for him since he came from down range," she said, referring to where he was injured in combat. "He has very serious injuries. We kept him under sedation for the pain. It wasn't easy to see him." Although the patient was sedated, the staff felt he was able to hear them when they spoke to him, she said. "He could indicate responses," she said. "I'm new at caring for soldiers. He was my age and a great kid. It was hard to see him like that. He didn't have any family there. But I felt like we formed a bond." The president arrived at the end of her shift that night. As the patient's nurse, Lt. Tomlinson accompanied the president into the room. "Because the patient is on isolation precaution, you have to gown and glove up," she said. After speaking to the soldier, President Obama pinned the Purple Heart medal on his bandages. "The patient started moving a little bit more during the president's visit,' she said. "But he was limited to what he could do because he was on ventilation." She estimates that Obama spent nearly 10 minutes in the ICU with the patient. In addition to her, there was a Navy officer holding the medal and a White House photographer, she said. "From the beginning, I really liked our president," she said. "But this was amazing to me that he took the time to ask me a lot of questions. He specifically made sure that he shook hands with everyone working there." The president also told them how important their work is, she said. "He wasn't there for us — he was there for our wounded young men," she said. "The president told me to please continue to tell the patient that he was there to see him and that the patient was a hero." Later that night, a medical team of specialists arrived to take the patient to a burn center in Texas. "It was hard saying good-bye," she said. "He was sedated but I know he could hear me." A burn doctor heading the team told her he would send her an e-mail and keep her posted on the patient's status, she said. "It's all starting to sink in now," she said. "It was amazing meeting the president, but what was more exciting and impacting was witnessing that very meaningful ceremony with a patient I was so bonded with. I'll never forget that. "We have a president truly supporting our troops," she added. "I'm also inspired by the people I meet coming through here. There are so many young men losing their limbs. We can't ever forget about them." Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected]. By paul fattig MailTribune.com By paul fattig Posted Jun. 7, 2009 @ 12:40 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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