What was it like to work as a DAN medic in a different office?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nSmith:<\/strong> “My time at DAN\u2019s headquarters was everything I thought it\u2019d be and more! The Medical Services team in North Carolina made the transition smooth, and the collaborative environment at headquarters made it easy and comfortable to ask questions and gather information. It was great seeing everyone face to face after working together remotely for so long. The experience not only boosted my confidence as a DAN medic but also strengthened my relationships with the team. I believe these two weeks brought to light opportunities for improvement within each office and in our collaborative efforts.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/world.dan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/megan-hotline-medic-swap-450x300-1.png\")
Megan Smith during a hotline shift at the DAN headquarters in Durham, North Carolina<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/world.dan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/megan-matias-medic-swap-450x300-2.png\")
Smith with Matias Nochetto, M.D., Vice President of Medical Services at DAN<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nLynn:<\/strong> “Spending time at the New Zealand hotline center was a really valuable experience. I found it easy to integrate with DAN\u2019s Auckland team. No matter where you are in the world, medical professionals tend to share a sense of humor! Our offices have worked together since 2019, but this was my first time seeing the Auckland medics in person due to COVID-19 and the sheer distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOver the two weeks, I gained a better understanding of the training, operations, and challenges faced by medics outside of DAN\u2019s headquarters. Together with the New Zealand team, we exchanged knowledge, further refined call processes, and developed a comprehensive training document to ensure shifts are aligned across offices.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/world.dan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/leandra-nz-medics-medic-swap-450x300-1.png\")
Leandra Lynn meeting with DAN staff at the hotline center in Auckland, New Zealand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/world.dan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/leandra-nz-medics-hotline-medic-swap-450x300-1.png\")
Lynn working a New Zealand hotline shift alongside fellow DAN medics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat were the differences between your home office and the one you visited?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nSmith:<\/strong> “In terms of DAN Medical Services and my role, the most significant difference when working at headquarters compared to Auckland\u2019s hotline office was the medical information line. The larger North Carolina team operates not only the emergency hotline but also the medical information line<\/a> during headquarters’ regular business hours. Currently, New Zealand medics only take emergency hotline calls since we operate beyond DAN\u2019s regular hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother difference in North Carolina was the convenience of being in the same building and time zone as DAN\u2019s other departments. However, it\u2019s clear that DAN is committed to making it easier for all medics, regardless of where we\u2019re based, to provide the same caliber of seamless service. The medic exchange was a big step toward bringing our offices and resources even closer together to deliver the best and most consistent experience possible for divers in need, which is what it\u2019s all about!”<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/world.dan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/megan-dan-hq-450x300-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nLynn:<\/strong> “The Medical Services team at headquarters often makes incremental changes to improve how we address issues, focus on certain points, and exchange knowledge. Following the medic swap, we\u2019re working to establish an updated process with screensharing for application changes and real-time feedback via a video call to ensure all hotline offices remain in sync as we improve and evolve. These two weeks drove home that DAN is committed to providing all of us with the guidance and resources needed to provide the best possible support to divers \u2014 whether answering a call in North Carolina, New Zealand, or South Africa.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n*Editorial note: For non-emergency questions about dive medicine and fitness to dive, call +1-919-684-2948, Option 4, Monday\u2013Friday, 8:30 a.m.\u20135 p.m. ET; or submit the <\/em>Formulir online Tanya Dokter<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow did you spend your free time exploring the local area during your trip?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\nSmith: <\/strong>“North Carolina is very different from Auckland, especially with driving on the opposite side of the road and turning right on a red light! I explored North Carolina beyond DAN\u2019s headquarters and visited downtown Durham, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Raleigh. I also had the opportunity to tour The Duke Center for Hyperbaric Medicine. What an incredible facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI was struck by the variety of food options in America. It was difficult to choose because I wanted to try everything! I sampled North Carolina BBQ, which was delicious. I also tried axe throwing, which is something I would probably never do back home!”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Lynn:<\/strong> “Spending time at the New Zealand hotline center was a really valuable experience. I found it easy to integrate with DAN\u2019s Auckland team. No matter where you are in the world, medical professionals tend to share a sense of humor! Our offices have worked together since 2019, but this was my first time seeing the Auckland medics in person due to COVID-19 and the sheer distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the two weeks, I gained a better understanding of the training, operations, and challenges faced by medics outside of DAN\u2019s headquarters. Together with the New Zealand team, we exchanged knowledge, further refined call processes, and developed a comprehensive training document to ensure shifts are aligned across offices.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith:<\/strong> “In terms of DAN Medical Services and my role, the most significant difference when working at headquarters compared to Auckland\u2019s hotline office was the medical information line. The larger North Carolina team operates not only the emergency hotline but also the medical information line<\/a> during headquarters’ regular business hours. Currently, New Zealand medics only take emergency hotline calls since we operate beyond DAN\u2019s regular hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another difference in North Carolina was the convenience of being in the same building and time zone as DAN\u2019s other departments. However, it\u2019s clear that DAN is committed to making it easier for all medics, regardless of where we\u2019re based, to provide the same caliber of seamless service. The medic exchange was a big step toward bringing our offices and resources even closer together to deliver the best and most consistent experience possible for divers in need, which is what it\u2019s all about!”<\/p>\n\n\n Lynn:<\/strong> “The Medical Services team at headquarters often makes incremental changes to improve how we address issues, focus on certain points, and exchange knowledge. Following the medic swap, we\u2019re working to establish an updated process with screensharing for application changes and real-time feedback via a video call to ensure all hotline offices remain in sync as we improve and evolve. These two weeks drove home that DAN is committed to providing all of us with the guidance and resources needed to provide the best possible support to divers \u2014 whether answering a call in North Carolina, New Zealand, or South Africa.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n *Editorial note: For non-emergency questions about dive medicine and fitness to dive, call +1-919-684-2948, Option 4, Monday\u2013Friday, 8:30 a.m.\u20135 p.m. ET; or submit the <\/em>Formulir online Tanya Dokter<\/em><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith: <\/strong>“North Carolina is very different from Auckland, especially with driving on the opposite side of the road and turning right on a red light! I explored North Carolina beyond DAN\u2019s headquarters and visited downtown Durham, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Raleigh. I also had the opportunity to tour The Duke Center for Hyperbaric Medicine. What an incredible facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was struck by the variety of food options in America. It was difficult to choose because I wanted to try everything! I sampled North Carolina BBQ, which was delicious. I also tried axe throwing, which is something I would probably never do back home!”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat were the differences between your home office and the one you visited?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow did you spend your free time exploring the local area during your trip?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/world.dan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/megan-nc-450x300-copy.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/world.dan.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/leandra-nz-bungee-medic-swap-250x300-1.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n