Matt Breton-Team Player in Iraq and at North Country Hospital Rehab Services

NEWPORT, VT- The war in Iraq is on the news daily. Here in Northeastern Vermont, with the serene beauty surrounding us, it is difficult to imagine what it is like in Iraq. The people making up the US troops being sent to Iraq have a job to do, just as we do, and they are very dedicated to their work. One local man has returned home from Iraq and has joined the North Country Health System family.
Matthew Breton joined the rehab team as a staff physical therapist in March 2007. Being born and raised right here, Matt chose North Country Health System for a variety of reasons, one being “coming back home” after several years of being out of the area. He was also very impressed by the excellent staff in the rehab clinic. “Everyone looks out for each other here,” stated Matt enthusiastically. “The rehab staff is team-oriented and gets along very well.
“I could tell when I came in for an interview at lunch one day that it was good. I felt I might have opportunities to expand what I do and possibly specialize in different areas down the road.”
Mr. Breton began his career as an undergraduate at Johnson State College where he received a degree in Health Science. “In high school I always liked sports and had an aptitude for science.”
Matt's mentor at JSC was a physical therapist and, after working with him for a couple of years, Matt decided to go on to get his Master's Degree in PT. Breton entered the respected US Army-Baylor University Program in San Antonio, Texas. While on active duty, Matt completed the 2-year program and was subsequently stationed at Fort Drum, NY. His unit was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in August of 2005.
Stationed at Camp Liberty in Baghdad, Mr. Breton was the only physical therapist in the troop medical clinic, accompanied by a PTA. He worked as a direct access provider; patients would come in and see him for their musculoskeletal injuries before seeing anyone else; a unique setting for a physical therapist. He held expanded privileges like ordering x-rays and prescribing medications. “Sometimes it was tough because I couldn't just tell soldiers to stop wearing body armor because their backs hurt. I would have to help them figure out how to manage.”
Matt served just shy of one year in Iraq and recalls it as “a very unique experience personally and professionally.” He adds, “The further I get away from it, the more positively I look back on it.
“We were a small group that functioned as a unit to keep soldiers healthy. I had the opportunity to work with some of the best soldiers in the world serving in the US Army, Marines, Air Force and the Navy; helping make up a multi-national force from the US, Australia, Britain, and Italy. I got to work hand-in-hand with ER docs, internists, and cardiologists. It was scary, but amazing because I got to see and help experts do their thing in mass casualty situations.”
Even though Matt's job did not include patrolling the area, he had to be on alert at all times. All the men and women stationed at Camp Liberty had to be focused because the threat was always imminent. The base would get mortared and rocketed and the level of intensity had to be maintained. “The day-to-day work is no different than here, it's the environment that's stressful,” explains Matt.
Although different from Iraq, there are challenges to being a physical therapist here. Some patients come in with multiple physical and mental health issues to be resolved along with their physical complaints. But the job's rewards outweigh the challenges. According to Matt, “It's not just about relieving pain; it's about how well the patient moves through his/her world to accomplish the things he/she does. Sometimes the patient comes in with a big smile when accomplishments are made.” North Country Health System's rehab clinic offers treatment for general orthopedic problems, but there are also staff members who have specialty in areas such as lymphodema; orthotics; prosthetics; aquatics, wound care, urinary incontinence, and pediatrics, including providing therapy in other environments such as schools. Along with Physical Therapy, the rehab department offers Occupational Therapy and Speech/Language Pathology services. Unlike other health providers, physical therapists have the luxury of really getting to know their patients because they sometimes see them three times a week for 30-40 minutes each session.
While he is getting settled back in the area, and is enjoying his return to his large, extended family, Matt still thinks of the friends he made in Iraq. His unit is being deployed again in September. As he is now in the Individual Ready Reserve rather than on Active Duty, he will not be going with them. He will worry about them, though. For a year, he lived with them, ate with them, supported them when they got hurt. They share a bond that those of us safe in our homeland don't understand. “Our soldiers are there to do a job, not to get involved in politics,” says Matt. “I am 100 percent supportive of our troops serving in Iraq.”
Whether he is supporting troops, supporting his family, supporting his health care team, or supporting his patients, Matt supplies the steady, gentle hand needed to move forward to recovery. North Country Health System is lucky to have him on our team.

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